As I recently looked at myself in the mirror, as well as at some photos that dated back for quite a few years, I was somewhat amazed at the changes I have undergone in the past 50 years. When I gave some further thought to the issue of how I have changed, it became evident that these changes have occurred in more than the physical aspect of my life (which is the most notable). Everyone of us have gone through some changes in our lives that happened gradually and have greatly contributed to who we have developed into. I have embraced the following saying for years: “To live is to grow and to grow is to change”. Today, I want to bring your attention to some basic areas where we all have undergone some changes in our lives.
Physical Changes
Certainly, as I have already mentioned, the most noticeable change that all of us have experienced (if we are thirty or older) is physical. In spite of how hard we try to delay or deny the fact and process of aging, it is a proven and present reality that we are not as young, energetic, and vigorous as we once were. Therefore in nearly all of the professional sporting events, once an athlete turns 35 years old and older, their ability and performance begin to wane. Although a few (like Lebron James, Tom Brady, Drew Breeze, and a few others) have managed to stay competitive and productive, they are the exception and not the norm. The truth of the matter is the older we get, the more we lose physical dexterity and vitality. The older we get, the more we change in how we look. Let us not fool ourselves. As we age, we will not look as youthful as we did when we were much younger. Though we may be aging in a graceful way, let us not forget that we are not young men or young women any more. For most of us, the undeniable fact that we have experienced physical changes in our appearances can be seen through the greying of our hair, the balding of our heads, and in some, the loss of teeth.
Size and Weight
One sure way that most of who are over 35 years old can trace our changes through the years is in size and weight.
There was a time when it was quite easy for me to keep my six-foot two-inch stature in and around 190-200 pounds. I was able to maintain my waist size at 36-38 inches.
Then at the age of 40, I suddenly awakened to a new reality and challenge that I had not known before. My metabolism was beginning to slow down and the consequences for me was that my size and weight were growing as I aged.
In a desperate attempt to control and reduce my size and weight, I initiated daily walking and proper eating. This was done primarily to ward off or control certain generational diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure that had run rampant on both sides of my family with many causalities. So, today I am able to trace my changes through the years by the ongoing battle with my size and weight.
Priorities and Pursuits
Invariably, one of the ways that all of us can trace our changes down through the years is by our priorities and pursuits. Almost everyone’s pursuits will be determined by their priorities.
Our priorities are the driving influences of our lives. Whether we understand this principle or not does not negate its effect. Whatever we set as the most important thing in our lives will be the wind in our sail that will drive us in the direction we are headed.
How many will honestly admit that your priorities and pursuits have evolved over the years as you have grown older? Things that you once thought were important and vital to who you were, no longer occupies a place of importance today. One of the greatest ways that I have been able to trace my changes through the years have been through the shifting of my priorities and pursuits. Of course, as a follower of Jesus Christ, my priorities are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Character and
Disposition
Arguably, the greatest way that most of us can trace our changes through the years can be measured or determined by our character and disposition.
Personally, I have been able to measure and mark the various stages of my changes by my character and disposition more than any other aspect of my life.
Like many who endeavor to be people of good character, I have had to learn by trial and error and by falling down and getting up.
Through the years, I have denied and fought against things like anger, jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, and quite a few other character and dispositional flaws to be where I am today. Though I am far from perfect (as each of us are), thank God that through His grace I am on the right road and not where I use to be.
Beliefs, Values, and Perceptions
The final area where all of us can trace our changes through the years is in the area of our beliefs, values, and perceptions. Whether we embrace a certain religious, philosophical, political, ideological, or intellectual persuasion, we all have grown or evolved in our devotion to these essentials that captures and defines who we are.
In my life, all of my beliefs, values, and perceptions are both determined and weighed by the Word of God.
Looking back and tracing my changes over the years, I can clearly see how I have matured in my beliefs, values, and perceptions.
I believe that I will continue to grow in each of these areas until the end of my days.
