The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Reflections on aging, faith, and courage.

Aging projects us into the valley of the shadow of death. There comes a point in life when time means very little. Time only matters for taking our medication, making appointments, or our favorite television programs. For other parts of life, it will mean nothing.

We will wake when we wake, and sleep when we sleep—that is, if we can sleep amid the worries of what tomorrow brings. Ergo, ‘who will care for me when I can no longer care for myself?’ Fears of outliving our income, or perhaps of dying alone? Loss of pension due to governmental changes? Health! So many things to cause us fear.

The condemnation and worry accompanying this life is unavoidable. Still, the celebrated poet Dylan Thomas encouraged his father saying:

“Do not go quietly into that good night.”

Pain & Purpose:

Unless the plagues and vagaries of life have removed the ability to challenge the inevitable, there are options. If we still have a free will, then now is the time to exercise them. With whatever health remains, it is time to make the best of the time that remains.

When we were young we endured the pains that made us stronger, faster, and more agile. When we are old, we tend to avoid those pains. So it’s up to us; to those who can still put up a fight; who can still challenge; who can still endure the pain. Go for it!

Pain & Purpose: You’ve heard of “no pain, no gain,” or as another famous person once coined the phrase: “Get busy livin, or get busy dyin.”

Unable to escape the prison we are subject to, still we have the option of making the best of what we have. To push ourselves toward the better, rather than constantly moaning about the worst.

Positive companionship, faith in our Creator, and faith in ourselves. Share kindness, be considerate, show love toward all, hate the world because it’s evil, but love Earth and humanity because they are God’s creation.

Attitude & Outlook

While doing those things, be positive, active, exercize, push yourself and make the pain worth something. People in their 90’s run marathons. At age 73, I impressed the personal trainer with what I can do, and the appointment after mine is a man of 92.

Above all: know, recognize, and accept the fact that the end of this life is not the end of all life, but an opportunity for repurchase and renewal. For those of the Christian faith, know that there is one who sacrificed himself to repurchase us. To give us a far, far better life than any that even the wealthiest of humanity has ever known.

For those of other faiths, know that our Creator is one and the same. “Although there may be gods, to us there is only One God…”

The question is: How will you walk through the valley? Please share your thoughts thoughts with us.