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Aging has a way of sneaking up on us. One moment, we feel like we’re still 19, and the next, we look in the mirror and see our mother staring back. The process of growing older often comes with unexpected realizations, challenges, and—if we allow it—wisdom. But while aging is inevitable, how we approach it is entirely up to us.

An Early Glimpse of Aging

Most people expect aging to arrive gradually, but for some, it comes early. At 18, just starting college, I was blindsided by a sudden and severe onset of arthritis. My knee swelled to the size of a football, and doctors diagnosed me with a rare form of the disease. I thought my life was over. While my peers were enjoying their youth, I spent months bedridden, waiting for the pain and swelling to subside.

Though my body felt decades older than my actual age, life had other plans. Time brought medical advances, treatments, and new ways to adapt. Though I live with limitations, I’ve learned to work around them—because limitations are not unique to me. We all have them. The question isn’t whether we have struggles but how we respond to them.

Making Music with What Remains

There’s a story about violinist Yitzhak Perlman, who, during a performance, had one of his violin strings snap. Instead of stopping, he continued playing with three strings, improvising as he went. The result was music unlike anything the audience had ever heard. After the performance, he simply said, "Our job is to make music with what remains."

That’s the challenge of aging. We can focus on what we’ve lost—youth, energy, unwrinkled skin—or we can embrace what we still have. And that choice makes all the difference.

Isaiah 46:4 reminds us: "Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." Aging does not mean abandonment. God continues to sustain and give purpose, no matter our season of life.

Shifting Perspectives on Aging

When I turned 70, I didn’t feel dread—I felt gratitude. Life is a gift, not a guarantee. However, aging does bring an acute awareness of mortality. The funerals I attend now are not for my parents’ generation but for my peers and friends. This shift in perspective has given me clarity: I no longer waste time on regrets, gossip, or worry. I focus on what lies ahead, not what’s behind.

Job 12:12 says, "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." Each additional year is an opportunity to gain wisdom and share it with others.

Staying Young in Spirit

Age is as much about mindset as it is about numbers. Some people feel old simply because another birthday has passed, while others maintain a youthful spirit well into their later years. Here’s how to stay young in spirit:

• Think Young. Don’t dwell on what you’ve lost; focus on what’s still ahead.

• Talk Young. Stop discussing aches and pains and instead talk about the joys of today and the excitement of what’s to come.

• Relate Young. Surround yourself with younger people. Their energy and enthusiasm will keep you vibrant.

• Act Young. Stay curious, try new things, and embrace each day with wonder.

Psalm 92:14 encourages us: "They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green." There is no expiration date on usefulness. If we remain close to God, we remain vibrant and full of purpose.

Taking Care of the Body That Got You Here

Aging is inevitable, but how we age is a choice. Here are some ways to support the body that has carried you this far:

• Appreciate your body. It has served you well.

• Stay active. Walk outside, feel the sun on your face, and move every day.

• Eat well. Nourish yourself with good food and eliminate unnecessary junk.

• Spend time with loved ones. Cherish the moments because tomorrow isn’t promised.

• Laugh often. It’s the best medicine, with no side effects.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." That means every stage of life holds meaning and value.

Finding Hidden Value in the Ordinary

During a recent dentist visit, my doctor noted how active my salivary glands were. She said, "That’s a good thing! Without them, you’d have dry mouth, difficulty chewing, and swallowing." It struck me— no one ever appreciates their salivary glands, but they serve an essential function. Likewise, in the body of Christ, the most valuable things are often unseen.

The Bible is full of stories of people accomplishing great things in old age. Daniel was 86 when he faced the lions' den. Caleb was 85 when he declared, "Give me this mountain." Sarah was 90 when she gave birth to Isaac.

Isaiah 40:31 tells us, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." That doesn’t sound like someone too old to make a difference.

We do not retire from being useful to God. Our role may change, but our purpose never disappears. Aging is inevitable, but becoming old in spirit is optional.

God’s grace is sufficient. How do I know? Because we’re still here. We have made mistakes, faced hardships, and stumbled along the way—but we are still standing.

So yes, we’re going to die. But let’s not stop living before then. We are not too old, and it is not too late.