Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

Growing Older, Growing Deeper: The Case for Spiritual Preparation

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There’s something to be said for bladders that surprise us: we must be prepared.

After running errands one day, I rushed into the house, determined to get to the toilet before I had an accident. Of course, I needed to sneeze, and I knew this would cause a catastrophic explosion of my bladder.

I made it just in time, but almost catapulted right off the toilet seat because of my hurry. I slid right across the top and caught myself before I fell to the floor! Can you imagine the calamity if I hadn’t been able to stop??

It’s funny (not ha-ha, but interesting), isn’t it? Things change with age. Road trips, or even quick trips to town, are planned around bathroom availability. Which stores have public bathrooms? Are they clean? Is there a Bucee’s nearby?

We prepare ourselves physically for growing older. We exercise to stay limber, we know where all restrooms are for our weak bladders, and we keep all maintenance doctor visits.

Why don’t we prepare ourselves spiritually for aging?

Preparation is Biblical

The Jewish people had a day of preparation (Luke 23:54), which was when they readied themselves for the Sabbath. No work or cooking could be done on the Sabbath day. They had to cook meals and do chores the day before. They had to prepare.

Jesus also believed in preparing. In Mark 9:30, we see that “He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them.” Jesus didn’t want them to be unaware of what would happen to Him.

Jesus is also preparing a place for us (John 14:2). One day, we will join Him there. If Jesus prepares for the future, we should do the same.

Suggestions to Prepare Ourselves 

There are so many things we can do to prepare ourselves for what will come with aging. But as for preparing ourselves physically, it’s more about being than doing. Here are a few suggestions:

*Be rooted. To be firmly rooted, you must have a solid foundation. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. When our roots grow down deep into Jesus, our faith will grow. Our spiritual lives will flourish, even in old age (Ps. 92:14). 

With a firm foundation and deep roots, we won’t be blown about like tumbleweeds that have no roots (or like me slipping and sliding to make it to the toilet!). We will be strong, upright, and able to stand firm even in the midst of the hardships that aging brings.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Col 2:7 NLT

Old tree, deep roots

*Be Dependent. I admit, the older I get, the more self-supporting and independent I become. A simple problem arises? I can handle it. Why bother God with this little thing? Before I know it, I am no longer depending on Him for all things!

Return to dependence on Him. Give each day to Him in prayer. Recognize that He is sovereign over all. Remember that He knows all things. Never believe that you are bothering the Lord. Our Father wants us to come to Him with every little bump and scrape on the knees of our lives.

In the same way we depend on certain stores to have the facilities we need, when we need them, Jesus has all we need for every day. 

Be surrendered to the will of the Lord. Depend on Him. Trust Him. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

*Be at rest. Jesus is the ultimate “rest stop” along our way. When we find our rest in Him alone, peace that surpasses all understanding will fill our hearts. Disasters, trials, and tribulations won’t disturb our peace or the calm within us. We cannot be shaken when we rest in Jesus (Psalm 62:6).

Like being near a restroom, being near Jesus brings comfort. We can scoot ourselves up next to Him, tuck ourselves under the shelter of His arms, and find rest. 

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Maybe, to prepare spiritually for the autumn years of life, we need to BE: With Jesus, growing deeper roots into Him. Our roots will deepen when we depend on Him and rest in Him. Then our connection with Jesus will naturally grow deeper. And that’s the best preparation for spiritual aging!  

Abide in Me, and I in you. John 15:4

For His glory,

Bathrooms and Jesus

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Bathrooms and Jesus. That’s a combination you would never put together, right? Let me tell you how I got here:

Recently, we attended my husband’s fiftieth high school reunion. If you haven’t made it this far in life yet, let me tell you, it’s an interesting time. It’s also a time when you don’t want to look bad in any way.

So when I got stuck in the bathroom stall, I panicked a bit. I could imagine having to scream so loud that someone would come to my rescue. How silly would I look?!? Turns out, all I had to do was slam my shoulder into the stall door. Yes, I had a bruise the next day, but I didn’t look stupid!

That wasn’t the first time I’ve gotten stuck in a stinky situation. At a car show with my husband, I had to go to the restroom. All they had were port-o-lets. EWWWW. But you do what you’ve got to do. I went in, held my breath, and just as I was getting ready to (thankfully) leave the “belly of the whale,” a rainstorm blew through. Opting to maintain my nicely coifed hair (because I didn’t want to look like a drowned puppy), I decided to wait it out in that stanky old outdoor outhouse. Nasty!

Unlike me, stinky situations didn’t bother Jesus. Remember when He went to Lazarus’ grave and told the people to remove the stone? Lazarus had been dead for four days. The full implication of this act really shines through in the King James Version when Martha tells Jesus, “Lord, by this time he stinketh (John 11:39).”

Lazarus’ body was decomposing after four days in the tomb. Let me say this right now: “Oh, no, not me! I will not stand next to that stinky grave!” But Jesus didn’t shrink or cower at the thought. He had a larger purpose in mind.

Ancient Tomb, Israel 2023

Jewish tradition indicates “a belief that the soul hovered over the body for three days, hoping to reenter it, but then gave up and departed⁠1.”

Jesus wanted the people to see the glory of God in the resurrection of a dead man. That’s why He waited until Lazarus had been dead four days. Past the point of no return. The people who saw this miracle would believe that God had sent Jesus (John 11:40-42). 

Isn’t that just like Jesus? Barrelling into a stinky situation to bring life to it? 

Jesus barrels into our stinky situations to bring us life.

If you’ve ever thought, My life’s a mess. It stinks. Jesus could never love me (or forgive me, or want me), you’re wrong. While we may not like our stinky lives, Jesus wades right into the middle and pulls us out of the muck and the grime.

Before Jesus came into our lives, we were all Lazarus-dead. We were dead in our sins, trapped in a tomb, and wrapped in grave clothes. We were stanky.

But Jesus. He has a heart for sinners like you and me. He cares.  Jesus wants us to throw off the grave clothes and walk in new life with Him! And as with Lazarus, Jesus wants us alive for His glory.

How has Jesus been working in your life recently? How can you bring Him honor and glory with the way you live?

For His Glory,

 

 

 

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1 Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2045.