Finding the “Fountain of Youth” has been the topic of many stories over the years. But think about what would happen if you really could find a spring that would keep you from growing older when you drank from it…truly think about the ramifications of that. You would never see another wrinkle. Your body would stay young and strong and healthy. You wouldn’t lose your hair. You would be able to run as fast 1000 years from now as you can right now. You could accomplish all of your dreams because you wouldn’t have a lifetime…you would have until the world ends. You could try all kinds of dangerous things because you would never die. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But what about the other ramifications? Not everyone could (or would want to) drink from the spring. The majority of the world would be moving on, while you were staying the same. You would watch classmates and family members grow older and die. You would see generations come and go. And yet there you would be. Stuck. You would never mature more than you are right at that moment. For all the days left on this earth.
You see, this push for youth…the pressure to stay looking and acting young…it all sounds nice, doesn’t it? But would you REALLY want it? What would be the point? I wouldn’t want to stay young while all those around me grew old. Can you imagine? You would be stuck in high school…or with toddlers…or with teenagers…forever. Because your kids would never grow up…if you gave them some water. Or if you didn’t, they would grow up and you would become younger than them. You would watch others around you suffer. Perhaps even you would suffer. But you would never die. Does this sound appealing?
Yes, growing old saddens us. So does change. But what if it wasn’t there? What if people never changed? It is part of life. It is not always a pleasant part of life…but we need it.
You see, I am at a part of my life where I find myself increasingly nostalgic. My kids are growing up so quickly. I miss the days of cuddling babies, toddlers full of wonder, and elementary children full of energy and fun. But, when I stop and think…would I want to go back? No, I wouldn’t. I love my teenagers. And I enjoy them, too. And one day, when my teenagers are all adults…well, then I will enjoy that time of my life, too. As much as I hate change, I wouldn’t want things to stay the same. Would you?
As I come to a close, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my excitement about my future, however! A future which Jesus has promised in the Bible to those who truly believe in Him. Scripture promises me a place where I will live forever. I will live forever along with all of the inhabitants of that place. But it will be a place of perfection. A place of love, joy, and peace. A place where no one will get sick. No one will cry. (Revelations 21:4) Jesus has promised this place for His followers. Those who have repented of their sins (Mark 1:15), accepted God’s gift of salvation by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8), and have shown the fruit of that decision by denying themselves, taking up their crosses, and following Him (Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34). I hope as you ponder your own mortality, you know without a shadow of a doubt where you will spend eternity. If you don’t know where you will spend eternity, please take the time to search the scriptures. Ask God to open your eyes. And I will be praying for you, my friend.