“Seek first his kingdom and His righteousness” Matt 6:33
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Age is just a number.” People who use that phrase are usually on the “high side” of that number, and don’t want to be classified by their age and number of days they have been on this earth.
Be that as it may, what does it mean? It’s a statement that age doesn’t define who you are. It clearly doesn’t represent what you have accomplished or the difference you have made. It doesn’t indicate what is on the horizon or what your future achievements will be.
There is a book calling attention to the 5 blue zones in the world. These are geographical areas where people have a longer life expectancy. The most famous is found in Okinawa, Japan where the highest percentage of women centenarians live. Now, this is not a devotional on how to live longer, but I did find something rather “curious.” The entire community in that Japanese blue zone had several things in common.
They lived within a close-knit community of family and friends.
They smiled a lot.
They didn’t gorge themselves by over-eating.
But here is the characteristic that got my attention. They worked every day at something that gave their life value, meaning, and purpose. They never retired and they worked almost until the day they died. Many worked in the garden or at an office. Some painted, some wrote poetry, but all worked hard to create something meaningful. So, for you and me: Don’t retire. Have fun. Laugh. Enjoy friends and family. Work with purpose. After all, age is just a number.
For the God follower there is a need to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. This is a purpose that never ends.