Waking as I do every morning to the annoying buzz of the 5 a.m. alarm clock telling me to “Get up and go to work or that house you just bought will belong to someone else,” I slowly reach over and turn it off. With a deep breath and sigh, still laying there debating how I could get away with calling in sick, but can't think of a good enough excuse that hasn't been used a million times before, I roll myself out of bed. Stumbling in the dark to the bathroom for my morning makeover of morning breath, messy hair, and bloodshot eyes, with a click of the light switch I’m once again staring at the same face I have for 46 years.

Who is this old guy and why am I in his body? “God, why didn't you put me in a more handsome, smarter, richer, and stronger body?” As humans never satisfied with how we look, we ask ourselves, Why do we wake up every morning just to go through the same motions over and again? Work, responsibilities, home, and sleep—is this living and how many years must I do it?

Have you ever asked that question of yourself and God? Well, if you’re living, breathing, and don't walk on four legs, I’m sure you have! There is a famous song by Led Zeppelin that goes like this: "Every time that I look in the mirror, all these lines in my face getting clearer, the past is gone..."

Yes, your youth may be gone, but there is still a reason and purpose in your life. As we age and lose our youth, life can feel like it's getting away from us ... "the past is gone,” as the song goes. We may lose the feeling of being needed. Take heart in knowing that God wants you more now than ever before. You’re a treasure chest of knowlege and experience that God is waiting to use. The mighty redwood tree stands tall and strong only because it's stood the test of time and has been able to stand against wind, rain, heat, and cold. The outside bark my look old and weathered, but deep inside the mighty tree are rings from years of strength and maturity. No matter what comes its way there is nothing short of a chainsaw that can bring it down. We tend to look in the mirror and see the bark but forget about the great experinces we have to share.

Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, "Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest in life and living wrinkles the soul." As we grow older, we need to consider that "how" we grow old is far more important than how old we grow. Proverbs 16:31 tells us, "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, it is found in the way of righteousness. Isaiah 46:4 gives us the promise that "Even to your old age I shall be the same and even to your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it and shall carry you. "

As we grow older and the man or woman in the mirror begins to look back at us with tired eyes and wrinkled skin, remember, this is not the time for quitting or retirement. It is the time to conquer and discover new challenges. But most of all, it is the time to share the wisdom that has been forged in you with a world that is desperately searching for strength and maturity that only comes from a loving God and life experience.