Upsides and Downsides
This year I turn 42. I’m still a few months away, but my age does occasionally cross my mind. Thankfully, we aren’t a gag gift type of family. When I turned 40, I didn’t suffer through the myriad of over-the-hill cards, t-shirts and trucker hats.
I do know the reality of my age. I know my eye-sight will go soon. I know donuts will stick around easier than the past. I know my body won’t recover nearly as quick as it used to from stressful physical activity – this has definitely begun.
These are the worst things I will experience this decade. In fact, I’m entering the prime of my life when it comes to career, income and using my knowledge and wisdom. That’s exciting.
42 doesn’t look so bad from that angle.
42 + 43
The biblical story of Caleb is both sad and inspiring at the same time. At the age of 40, Caleb and his friend Joshua go to explore the Promised Land for their boss, Moses. They aren’t alone though – a total of 12 men are in their party.
They return from this scouting trip with 2 different stories.
One story goes like this. The land is awesome, but their are giants. There is no way we can win. We should just go back to Egypt.
This is the story of the other guys.
The other story – Caleb and Joshua’s story – goes like this. The land is awesome, and their are giants. With God, there is no way we can’t win. Let’s take the Promised Land.
Caleb and Joshua are roughly 40 years old at the time. They are in the prime of their lives. Their bodies are slowly breaking down, but they are strong enough, knowledgable enough, and ready to do big things.
Not so fast!
Unfortunately, things don’t work out for Caleb. This is the sad part of his story.
Israel listens to the first story, so 40 years pass before Caleb enters the Promised Land. But because he is full of faith, Caleb is rewarded to see this place again, but not for many years to come.
But this is the inspiring part – somehow Caleb doesn’t become bitter.
The book of Joshua depicts Caleb as full of life at 85 as he was at 40. At the age of 85, Caleb asks for what God had promised him – a specific parcel of land. This isn’t empty land either. It’s full of Canaanite enemies. Caleb doesn’t just have to pioneer the land, but he has to drive the inhabitants out…as an octogenarian.
40 years of waiting, but it hasn’t slowed him a bit. Dude’s got some spit and vinegar in him.
Make me like Caleb
I want a heart like Caleb’s. I want to be hopeful in the midst of other people’s bad choices – choices that negatively affect me. Caleb had every reason to become bitter, angry and resentful. He had lost 45 years of his life!
He doesn’t.
Comparatively, I’ve lost nothing. People’s bad choices hurt me in minor and insignificant ways. It’s irritating but not 45 years worth.
I have no reason to be bitter, angry or resentful. Neither do you.
My prayer for myself is to be like Caleb. My prayer for you is to be like Caleb.
Make us like Caleb.
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