57. That’s the new me.
57 years old, or shall I say, “57 years young?”
Whatever the case may be, I’m turning 57 in about 6 hours from the writing of this blog, and the first thing I am thinking about is Heinz 57 steak sauce – LOL – no kidding! That’s how my brain has always worked…random associations between unrelated things. I think that’s why I like to write blogs. It’s an outlet for my brain. Blame God if you’re sick of my analogies!
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
– Psalm 139:13-16
In Bible numerology, the number 5 is often associated with God’s grace towards human beings. The number 7 often symbolizes completeness and/or perfection. So, I guess if I get creative (I am a right-brained guy, after all) I have grace + perfection for an age. I like it!
Regarding grace, I can relate to Paul’s sentiments for sure:
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
– 1 Timothy 1:12-16
Regarding completion, well, I’m not there yet, but there’s hope of advancing. Again, I ask you to bear with me while I relate to the Apostle Paul:
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 3:12-14
Forgive me for comparing myself to Paul, but I think he and I have a lot in common. You know, 57 years of being alive comes with some real perks, like understanding what people think about you, in general. For example, I like to say, “Sure, people love me…<pause>…from a distance.” I think people understand where I’m coming from, but tire of “me”. The most often word associated with me (when people are asked to give just one) is “integrity”. I take that as a compliment, but I have to say that it comes at a cost.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
– Proverbs 10:9
At this stage of my life, I really only want to exist in the sphere of God’s grace. I have a true and visceral hatred of sin, starting with my own, of course. Therefore, I call it out in myself and, when the time seems right, I’ll call it out in others, too (especially from behind my pulpit).
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.
– Ephesians 5:11-14a
Even if I had zero Bible doctrine to my name, I’d be able to confidently say that people don’t like being called out regarding their sin. Do it enough through your actions (a la 1 Peter 4:4) and you begin losing “friends”. I graduated high school with the class-voted-on superlative “Best Personality”. I wonder how far down that list I’d be if a re-vote were taken today! Que sera, sera.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
– John 3:20
There’s a silver lining here, my friend. It’s this very same Light that is so offensive to others that shines brighter and brighter in me (so I’m told by those who love me). It reminds me that the offended do not really have an issue with me; rather, they have an issue with the One who, by grace, has sent me out into the world to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior (read I Don’t Like You when you get a chance). I’ll own that all day and twice on Sundays, thank you very much. You can keep the “best personality” hook, old dying world. There’s only one person that ever lived who’s worthy of that title, and His initials are J.C., not E.C.
57 years old. That’s me. I love my life. I’m grateful for all the blessings I’ve enjoyed. I’m especially thankful for the love that reached across an impassable chasm and saved me. I’m not complete, but my life is full of grace. Every day is another day I get to praise the Lord. The older I get, the simpler my life becomes. What a blessing. What a journey. If you read this and you can relate, then please know that I’m with you in spirit and I’m oh so happy for you. God bless you.
Love. So simple.
After all these years, that’s all I ever really needed. The rest is white noise.
Thank you, Lord (John 3:16).
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
We love because he first loved us.
– 1 John 4:14-19
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins