Life has a unique way of revealing God’s plans, milestones, and what is to come. Getting older is strange. Often, I feel waves of graceful aging, while other days I feel frustrated by how my body reacts to normal life—soreness and fatigue from simple tasks I could endure all day just a few years ago.
Some see aging as a trophy. It brings new wisdom, credibility through experience, and, in some cases, more respect from others. The process of aging is not talked about enough. We see ads about how to reverse aging, but not how to embrace the body and abilities God has given us. Society misses the chance to celebrate how hard and long our bodies have served—and continue to serve—us.
This year, I sent my two daughters to middle school. The transition was different with the change of campuses and commutes, but it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would. I didn’t feel many of those sentimental “time is a thief” emotions or mourn the fact that “they aren’t babies anymore.” But when I sent them to youth group at church, the emotions began to flood in.
The youth program at my childhood church molded me. I absolutely adored my youth leaders. My mom didn’t stand a chance against the wisdom of those volunteers—I leaned into them. I watched how they navigated their lives and hoped mine would look like theirs “when I get older.” Welp! Here I am! I’ve officially hit the age of most of my former youth leaders, and now I see the sacrifice they made to pour into my life.
Here’s what we don’t talk about when it comes to aging: while our bodies may start to get new pooches, lines, and sizes—what about our faith? What about our service? Who are we pouring into?
The Bible tells us about the life of Mary of Bethany. Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. You may remember her as the calm and attentive sister, while Martha busied herself around the house, trying to ensure production and perfection for Jesus’ visit. Later, we see Mary pour perfume on Jesus’s feet and wipe them with her hair.
In John 12:1–8, we witness a countercultural act. Not only was the perfume far beyond her economic means, but Mary used her hair to anoint His traveled feet. In Jewish culture, letting your hair down in public was improper—humiliating, even. Mary went a step further and used it to wipe His feet, surrendering all of her pride and cultural expectations. She used a perfume that cost too much for her station in life and laid it all out. She held nothing back. She dismissed any concern for judgment or perfection and displayed her faith for all to see.
In verses 7 and 8, Jesus says,
“Leave her alone. She has kept it for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
Her relentless faith did not go unnoticed. Her story made it into the Bible!
Who saw Mary pour out her riches at Jesus’s feet? What was their response? How many people were moved by her selfless, daring act of worship?
What if we looked at aging this way? What if we saw it as a chance to serve others? What if our life experience was meant to be poured out into the next generation?
God calls us to tell others about Him through discipleship.
Luke 9:23–24 says,
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
The phrase “come after me” means to become a disciple—to say yes to a life of learning about Jesus and pouring into others. It doesn’t mean becoming a disciple and staying silent. We are called to spread the good news of Jesus—to pour it out at the feet of others.
Mary shows us how. She displays an act of love that transcends pride and insecurity.
As I step into the process of aging, maybe it’s time for a new perspective.
What if I saw my gray hair and arch-support shoes as a sign to step up?
What if I saw them as evidence of God giving me years of lessons to now use for His good?
Just like I saw my youth leaders as strong, amazing women—could I now be a Mary to someone else?
My prayer as we get older is that we see aging as an opportunity to connect.
May we see these years as blessings of growth, to be shared with others.
May we shift our focus from trying to look younger to showing the younger generation how God has shown up in our lives.
May we stop obsessing over reversing time and instead point others to His timeless Word.
God wastes nothing.
He knew what your body would look like at every age.
He created every line on your face to reflect years of wisdom and growth through Him.
Aging should be seen as an opportunity—to thank God for all He’s taught us, and to share those lessons with others.
Go share the good news, wise lady! 🙂
Guest Contributor: Holly Helms
