Saging Instead of Aging
On my last birthday I turned 61 years old and someone sent me a card saying I am not aging but saging... I don't know if saging is even a word but I like it and I've been turning the idea over in my mind. I certainly enjoy the positive spin.
Have you noticed how most people want to live a long time, but nobody wants to get old? As the tee-shirt says, aging is not for sissies! However, since it is inevitable, I guess a healthy perspective is to recognize that being 61 years young is more hopeful than being 40 years old, especially if I am spending time actively gaining wisdom through reflection and experience.
Why pursue sage-like wisdom? The book of Proverbs in the Bible clearly instructs that acquiring wisdom is a far more worthy endeavor than obtaining earthly bling. For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 8:11 ESV
Darryl's definition of wisdom is making the connections between decisions & results and behaviors & consequences. Practically speaking, wisdom is saying to myself, I am not going to do that again! Pain is a terrific teacher! Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. Proverbs 19:8 ESV
Demonstrating a desire to please God and honor Christ places a person in the distinguished company of Biblical sages. For definition sake, a sage is someone who is consistently characterized by good judgment. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding... Proverbs 14:33 ESV
So how does one "sage"? Step one is to flee the temptation to become wise in my own eyes. Again, the book of Proverbs denounces pride and arrogance as the opposite of what God desires for me. Instead, in a very straightforward manner, He instructs me to aggressively pursue wisdom with an attitude of humility. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget and do not turn away... Proverbs 4:5 ESV
The next step is to be sure to stay on a steep learning curve. Someone has said that you can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea. So, welcoming and embracing new things and gracefully adapting to them seem to be necessary to press on to sagehood.
And finally, it seems a sage is often unaware of just how much his or her life is even noticed by others. If somehow something praiseworthy happens, then it is wise to rejoice when others call attention to it and then with forgetfulness of self, quietly press on. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2 ESV
So, perhaps the time has come to reflect a little on saging instead of aging. Yes, indeed! Now, there's something to think about.
