10 Important Life Questions to Ask When You Reach 50

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

As we enter middle age and beyond, we must know where we stand with Christ. Are you saved? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Or have you been merely attending church and going through the motions? Salvation through Jesus Christ is the best gift God gave us. We need to take full advantage of our salvation. We need to live in the joy and peace that are ours through Christ Jesus. Our salvation ensures we spend eternity with the Father. Check your heart today, repent and accept Christ, and live the rest of your life in service to Him. 

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“For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

I've been in ministry for almost twenty years, preaching and teaching the Good News. Every time I teach on forgiveness, people have questions, they want an excuse to hold on to unforgiveness. No one thinks about the things they've done to others. They only think about what was done to them. Holding unforgiveness in your heart doesn't always affect the other person. It always affects you. It leads to bitterness, resentment, and anger. You don't want to spend the rest of your life holding unforgiveness toward someone because of the things they did to you. You have to learn to let the unforgiveness go so that you can walk in liberty.

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“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

We have a responsibility to teach our children and grandchildren about Jesus Christ. Have you told them about Him? We must plant the seed about Jesus in our children at an early age. My son, Joshua, was about two years old when I started attending church. My children Alex and Charis came along ten years and twelve years later, respectively. All of them were raised in the church.

Furthermore, my husband and I taught them about Jesus at home. We ensured they know Scriptures, and we've emphasized the importance of them having personal relationships with Jesus. We've told our children that we will be gone one day, and they'll need to know Christ for themselves. Have you introduced your children and grandchildren to the Lord? Have you given them that firm foundation?

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“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

As I'm getting close to turning 50, I'm more focused on making a difference. I'm more focused on helping others, so they don't go through the hurt and pain I've endured. Turning 50 is the perfect time to start making a difference by giving back to your community. Perhaps you can tutor a child in a subject in which you excel, feed the homeless, help struggling small business owners, or become a mentor to a young lady who doesn’t have anyone helping her navigate this scary world. I always say ministry isn’t confined to the four walls of the church. Ministry can occur wherever you are.

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“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Knowing your purpose is one of the most important things we need to know by the time we turn 50, learning it earlier than 50 is even better. When we know our purpose, we’re able to focus and prioritize our lives. I’ve known for a long time that I’ve been called to preach and teach the Good News. When opportunities arise that take me away from that purpose, I know those opportunities aren’t from God. If you haven’t discovered your purpose, I encourage you to go before the Lord and ask Him to reveal it to you.

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“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I've worked in the I.T. industry since 1997 or 1998. I've made a good living, and to many people, I'm blessed. And yes, I am blessed. But I.T. isn't my passion. And when something isn't your passion, it makes going to work every day difficult. For the past few years, I’ve been questioning what I want to do until I retire. I’m passionate about teaching, coaching, and writing, thus I’m finding creative ways to do those things while I still work my I.T. job (gotta pay the bills). However, my heart's desire is to do the things about which I'm passionate. What are you passionate about? Are you working your passion? Do you make time for your passion? If not, don't you think it is time to start incorporating some of your passion into your day?

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“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22)

Mortgage, credit card debt, car payments and insurance, college tuition, food... I would presume the average American has some combination of these debts. One of the most important questions we need to ask ourselves is whether we have ample life insurance. Everyone has to die, and everyone will. However, every time someone dies, they leave behind family, loved ones who have to continue living with the debt left behind. We need to ensure we have coverage for our family in the event of our deaths. Do you have ample life insurance? Do your family members know where the policy is located?

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“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

During our 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s, many of us are were more focused on climbing the corporate ladder or building our businesses or ministries than we were about taking care of our bodies. Now is an excellent time to discuss your health with your doctor. When's the last time you had blood work completed? How’s your blood pressure and cholesterol? If you’re a woman, have you had a mammogram? As a breast cancer survivor, this one is important to me. Have you had a colonoscopy? If you're a man, have you had your prostate checked? We need to take care of our physical health so that we can glorify the Lord.

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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Are you happy? I mean, truly happy? If you are, fantastic. If you're not, why not? When I was in my 20's and 30's, I was eager to climb the corporate ladder and make my mark in the corporate world. In my 40's, I realized the corporate ladder wasn't necessary, nor was it making me happy. You don't want to spend the rest of your unhappy. If you're settling, stop. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life. Are you living an abundant life? Please remember the abundant life isn't all about money. The abundant life is about love, joy, peace... the fruit of the spirit.

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“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Reaching fifty years of age is a milestone. Reaching sixty is a milestone as well. I’m looking forward to turning fifty and am already setting up my life to enjoy my sixties as well. The nine other questions we discussed here are excellent questions to ask when you reach fifty, but they also prepare you for sixty. Where do you want to be spiritually, financially, and physically in ten years? If you’re a business owner, where do you want your business to be in a decade? It’s never too early to start preparing for the next ten years.

These are just some of the questions we should ask ourselves when we celebrate our 50^th birthday. Let's not wait until difficult times arise before we ask these questions or start thinking about their answers. Ask them now. Live in the present, but prepare for the future.

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