For those of you like me facing 65 or older, do you find yourself asking, “What am I doing with my life?” “What can I do to ensure that I don’t waste my sunset years?” When you hit this age, you really take stock of what you’ve accomplished thus far, where you are right now, and what your plans are for the future. Most of us have worked hard all of our lives and are looking forward to our retirement years. I’m sure even younger folks feel this way!
Just yesterday, my husband took the day off because we have been plagued with rainy weekend after rainy weekend, but yesterday was a beautiful sunny 70-degree day, so we took advantage of it! I literally said to my husband, "Won’t it be wonderful when it won’t matter if there are rainy weekends because we can make up for it during the week?" But then I quickly said, "not that I want to rush the years leading up to retirement…" At 64 you realize how fast life goes, and although retirement sounds wonderful, I don’t want to speed up the years, but instead enjoy every moment now with the hopes of slowing down time.
Life is fleeting and isn't always easy. In fact, I’d be curious statistically if people were to rate how good their lives have been, what would that rating be? It would be hard to get an accurate survey response since what might bring me satisfaction in life would not bring satisfaction to you. Some people might be homebodies. Others may want to travel the world. There are those who may thrive on work or school where others prefer rest and relaxation. Certain individuals may be satisfied with a lot of money where others prefer a simple life without need of a large bank account.
Something you hear a lot of lately is “manifesting the life you want” where they say to imagine yourself in the life you dream of and supposedly you will bring it to fruition. You might even hear these people say that you need to choose happiness, yet they will also say, “As long as you have your health, you will be happy.” I often wonder what happens when people like this who, in their minds, have successfully “manifested” the life they want are no longer able to participate in that life because of sickness or a disability. Where will their satisfaction come from then?
Recently, I read the following account of Abraham’s end of life and was convicted by it:
“These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:7-8).
If I was being brutally honest, could I say at the end of my life, I was satisfied with it? Can I say that now? Could you? I’ll speak for myself, but I would say from an accomplishment standpoint, I am satisfied with my life thus far, but in this season of life, which has been particularly hard, I’d say not so much. I assume I’m not the only one…
The word "satisfied" means content, pleased, which begs the question, where exactly are we looking for contentment? If it’s people, God tells us they will always disappoint. If its riches, the Bible tells us they are fleeting. If it’s good health, original sin has made it so our bodies will decay. It’s no wonder we may feel dissatisfied with life.
Let’s look at three reasons why Abraham died at a ripe old age, satisfied with life, and learn something from him about where true satisfaction comes from:
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14
Abraham certainly was tested in the areas of faith. Not only was he asked to pick up and move from the people and land he loved, but he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac because he had faith that God would make a way.
If I were to put myself in Abraham’s place, I would’ve definitely complained about having to leave the home I loved and would begrudgingly do so without first trying to change the course of things. I assume I’m not the only one. And I can’t even imagine being asked to sacrifice one of my children. I would’ve been so blinded by fear that any faith I had would’ve been snuffed out from trying to find another way rather than believing God would make a way.
When we place our faith in God in what He can and will do, and we trust that whatever He chooses is for our best, we will find ourselves satisfied not only in the process, but with the outcome because our unwavering faith would not have faltered for a second to allow any dissatisfaction to corrupt our thinking.
I realize this is not an easy thing to do especially when we are faced with extremely anxiety-provoking situations, but when we continually “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and keep our eyes fixed on Him and don’t “look at the waves” (Matthew 14:22-23), we will begin to train our faith to be unwavering. As a result, our satisfaction will be in what God will do and not what we want because we know that God never disappoints.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” Proverbs 19:23
Can you imagine how Abraham’s life would’ve gone had he ignored God’s commands? Remember, all of God’s commands to Abraham came with amazing promises to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. None of that would’ve happened had Abraham just said, “Nah, I’m good.” Very quickly he would’ve realized just how dissatisfactory his life was. The most stunning obedience Abraham showed was to bring his son to be sacrificed. The Lord hadn’t told him specifically He was going to spare Isaac, but Abraham still believed that God would make a way. Some speculate that Abraham believed God would raise his son back from the dead. No matter what, Abraham remained calm and resolute as he walked with his son to the sacrificial area.
Day to day, we are called to obey God in many different ways. Certainly, not in as big a way as Abraham, although there may be areas of your life that you are called to make great sacrifices that feel just as profound. By taking a page out of Abraham’s book, it is important to obey even in those areas because although it may feel like it will be extremely painful, through that obedience you will experience great satisfaction in your life because the Lord will bless you abundantly.
I would say that a majority of our dissatisfaction in life has its root in sin. Our selfish desires create discontentment because we feel we aren’t receiving what we want, and then the whole vicious cycle begins.
Instead, let us choose obedience and we will experience great satisfaction in life.
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:9
Abraham certainly was blessed with the fulfillment of God’s promises to him. Some he experienced in his lifetime and others as part of his legacy of obedience. We can certainly see where in his old age and at his end of life, he certainly had every reason to be satisfied with life.
We are no different than Abraham. We, too, have received the fulfillment of God’s promises. First and foremost, for those of us who are believers, the Lord’s promise that we will rise from the dead and live with Him in heaven is sealed with His blood. His promise to provide for us is seen in one way or another every day of our lives. His promise of strength comes at exactly the time we need it without fail. His promise of healing has played out for us over and over again as we have recovered from illnesses or ailments. His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us is true every second of every day. These are just a few of the many promises that have their fulfillment in Christ Jesus and that we enjoy throughout our lives. This fact alone should bring us the greatest satisfaction no matter the beginning, middle, or end of life.
When you are feeling dissatisfied with life, check your faith in God, examine your level of obedience to the Lord, and meditate on all the promises that the Lord has already fulfilled for you and you will be satisfied with your life.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/tommaso79
Karen Del Tatto is a blogger, author, women's ministry leader, pastor's wife, mom, and grandmother who is passionate about the Word of God. Her blog Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge and her books Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry, A 30-Day Devotional and Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal reveal her heart for providing Biblical insights to encourage women to grow in and through their struggles while equipping them to overcome. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walks in the woods, owling, and spending time with their grandchildren.