OLDER, BUT BETTER

1 Corinthians 15:41-44
41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Don't you just love old buildings? I'm not talking about the gas station on the corner that was built in 1965. I mean the really old ones. Like the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. And the Coliseum in Rome. I'm talking about buildings with character, dignity, and with historic significance.

Problem is, these ancient edifices are falling apart. As a result, other people who love them have to spend huge amounts of time and money to make sure they don't crumble away.

But it's not just the Parthenon. It's that way with everything we build, no matter how magnificent. Even the most well-built structure will weaken as time goes by.

What's true of buildings is also true of us--in one way. While we never think it's possible when we are in our twenties, eventually our bodies will begin to look like the Parthenon--worse for the wear.

There is a delicious and exciting dichotomy in our existence, however. While aging may take away the physical vibrancy of youth, there's another part of us that can be headed in the other direction. Spiritually, we can improve day by day even while our body heads toward its mortal end (now, there's a pleasant concept).

Our knees may get a little creaky and slow us down, but our prayer-life can be picking up speed. Our eyes may grow a little dimmer and need help, but the Word of God can shine brighter and become more precious to us as the days pass. It's the spirit that we nurture, knowing that the natural body is just temporary.

The eventual failure of the body is a given, but the spiritual renewal we need isn't. It takes an investment to nurture our relationship with God.

Whether you live in a body that is still fresh as a modern building or one that is looking a little like the Coliseum--you are getting older. But your spiritual life can grow stronger every day. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* If I had a spiritual mirror I could look into, would I look better or worse today than I did 5 years ago?
* Judged by the time I spend on it, which am I more interested in--my physical appearance or my spiritual well-being?
* What do I want to look like spiritually this time next year?

LINKS
The Parthenon

Roman Colosseum

Finishing Well

bottom line: Older can be better--on the inside.

soul journey