Today marks my 60th birthday. The day is not yet complete; and already, it has been a special one, marked by much fanfare and well-wishing from both friends and family.
For instance, who would not be moved by receiving a card that, on the outside, reads “Ice Age” (with a picture of a cave man with a club), “Stone Age” (with a picture of a man with a spear), and “Bronze Age” (with a picture of an man with a sword), but when opened to the inside reads “Old Age” (with a mirror to see oneself)?!
Feel the love!
Seriously, I am truly appreciative of all the attention. Even when offered in jest, a showering of affection manifested in such gifts only underscores their love for me. Besides, why get mad when you can get even? Their own birthdays will arrive in due time!
But I digress…
As anyone who has been here before me well knows, reaching 60 is a major milestone. It all but begs one to pause for reflection; and my experience has been no different.
George Clooney, who also turned 60 this year, recently quipped to a reporter:
“As far as turning 60, listen, I’m not thrilled with it, but it's better than dead. So I'll take it. I got two options.”
In another interview with BBC’s Andrew Marr, he got a little more serious about his feelings:
“I turned 60 this year. And I had a conversation with my wife, and we were working a lot, as we both do, and I said we have to think of these as the halcyon years. In 20 years, I will be 80 and that’s a real number. Doesn’t matter how much you work out, what you eat, you’re 80, and so I said we have to make sure we enjoy and live these years in the best possible way.”
Now I admit that I do not always see eye to eye with Mr. Clooney on every issue. But I completely agree with his remarks here. His choice of adjectives is particularly poignant. According to Merriam-Webster’s, “halcyon” means something “characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity”. A secondary meaning is “idyllic”.
In light of this, I hope to make certain that my own remaining time in this world is idyllic, and characterized by happiness. And the best way I know to do this is to heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who (in Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15-16) tells us to “redeem” the time we have in this world.
The Amplified Translation puts it this way:
“… see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence]…”
I do not know how much time I have left in this world. But there is something about turning 60 that underscores the importance of making the most of whatever time I do have left in this world. And of doing so in a way that honors and glorifies God!
In truth, though, the same can be said for any person at any age. Whether one is turning 90, or 80, or 70, or 60, or 50, or 40, or 30, or 20 or any other age, he or she would do well to live each day to the fullest.
Whatever your age, my friend, remember, each day is a gift. And as such, each day should be lived to the full in such a way that honors Almighty God. For once it passes, no day can ever be retrieved or relived again.
QUOTE SOURCES:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/george-clooney-on-his-milestone-60th-birthday-and-teaching-his-kids-charitable-values-exclusive/ar-BB1gcnhL;
https://outsider.com/news/george-clooney-feelings-turning-60/.
SCRIPTURE SOURCES:
https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-16.htm;
https://biblehub.com/amp/ephesians/5.htm.
SEE ALSO:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halcyon.
For instance, who would not be moved by receiving a card that, on the outside, reads “Ice Age” (with a picture of a cave man with a club), “Stone Age” (with a picture of a man with a spear), and “Bronze Age” (with a picture of an man with a sword), but when opened to the inside reads “Old Age” (with a mirror to see oneself)?!
Feel the love!
Seriously, I am truly appreciative of all the attention. Even when offered in jest, a showering of affection manifested in such gifts only underscores their love for me. Besides, why get mad when you can get even? Their own birthdays will arrive in due time!
But I digress…
As anyone who has been here before me well knows, reaching 60 is a major milestone. It all but begs one to pause for reflection; and my experience has been no different.
George Clooney, who also turned 60 this year, recently quipped to a reporter:
“As far as turning 60, listen, I’m not thrilled with it, but it's better than dead. So I'll take it. I got two options.”
In another interview with BBC’s Andrew Marr, he got a little more serious about his feelings:
“I turned 60 this year. And I had a conversation with my wife, and we were working a lot, as we both do, and I said we have to think of these as the halcyon years. In 20 years, I will be 80 and that’s a real number. Doesn’t matter how much you work out, what you eat, you’re 80, and so I said we have to make sure we enjoy and live these years in the best possible way.”
Now I admit that I do not always see eye to eye with Mr. Clooney on every issue. But I completely agree with his remarks here. His choice of adjectives is particularly poignant. According to Merriam-Webster’s, “halcyon” means something “characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity”. A secondary meaning is “idyllic”.
In light of this, I hope to make certain that my own remaining time in this world is idyllic, and characterized by happiness. And the best way I know to do this is to heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who (in Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15-16) tells us to “redeem” the time we have in this world.
The Amplified Translation puts it this way:
“… see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence]…”
I do not know how much time I have left in this world. But there is something about turning 60 that underscores the importance of making the most of whatever time I do have left in this world. And of doing so in a way that honors and glorifies God!
In truth, though, the same can be said for any person at any age. Whether one is turning 90, or 80, or 70, or 60, or 50, or 40, or 30, or 20 or any other age, he or she would do well to live each day to the fullest.
Whatever your age, my friend, remember, each day is a gift. And as such, each day should be lived to the full in such a way that honors Almighty God. For once it passes, no day can ever be retrieved or relived again.
QUOTE SOURCES:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/george-clooney-on-his-milestone-60th-birthday-and-teaching-his-kids-charitable-values-exclusive/ar-BB1gcnhL;
https://outsider.com/news/george-clooney-feelings-turning-60/.
SCRIPTURE SOURCES:
https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-16.htm;
https://biblehub.com/amp/ephesians/5.htm.
SEE ALSO:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halcyon.