 “As you follow the Lord Jesus, may you be one who sets your face to finish the course the Father has set before you. May God bless you in the afternoon of your life and make you a faithful follower of Jesus.”
Christopher Ash, Not Old, Not Young, Not Done Here I am, in that lovely stage of life referred to as “perimenopause” which may last from 2 to 67 years. (Yes, I pronounced that as six-seeeven when I typed it -- I am a middle school teacher, after all). Our kids have left the nest, I am counting the days (and seconds) until retirement, and I am trying to age semi-gracefully. So when I spotted Christopher Ash’s book “Not Old, Not Young, Not Done: Following Jesus in Your 50s and 60s”, it only took me 6-7 seconds to decide to add it to my TBR list. After a couple of hot flashes, I quickly decided to upgrade the book from my ever-growing TBR list to the MRN (must read now) list. Within a few chapters, it had me nodding and thinking, this should go on my RAS (read again soon) list. I found myself wishing that this book had been published twenty years ago so that I could have been more prepared when the hormone roller coaster started. The “Menopause” appendix by Sarah Allen was itself worth the price of the book. (And yes, now her book Pause is on my TBR list.) With that said, don’t overlook this book if you are in your 40s, or 30s, or even 20s. It is never too soon to think about how we can follow Jesus faithfully in any stage of life. Ash’s book has a redemptive focus for every aspect of aging. Yes, we are going to lose muscle. Our reaction times will slow (oh good, now I have a legitimate excuse for being clumsy and uncoordinated). Our bodies will deteriorate (spoiler alert) and our minds are not exempt, either. Our frustration over these changes is because these things are not supposed to be normal. The creaky joints and leaky bladders are a reminder of the weight of sin. But as believers we know that this weight is light compared to the weight of glory that is coming (2 Corinthians 4:17). As I dove into this book, I kept thinking of people from our church—walking, talking examples of everything Ash was describing! I met regularly with a woman who, even before retirement was on the horizon, would talk about the plans that she and her husband had for serving after retirement. Ash encourages us to establish Titus 2 relationships — both with older believers who can help us and younger believers that we can mentor. These encouragements challenged me to reexamine how much time I spend filling my TBR list—and how little time I invest in relationships. Our bodies may be sagging and our minds may be lagging, but Ash gently reminds us that we can’t use those as an excuse to slack off in consistent godly habits. Reading our Bible, praying, and serving others can keep our hearts focused on an eternal perspective. Ash also warns us of the temptation to think that aging means we have earned the right to be grumpy or selfish. This made me pause — I can’t use second puberty as an excuse to treat others poorly. It is so easy to be blind to my faults and motives. These are reminders that I need to rely on Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in my life. So, even as I struggle to make it through another day when I am mad at the world or feel like crying for no reason — his strength is evident in my weakness. From this book I learned that there is no retirement from growth in grace and sanctification. I can find ways to intentionally and diligently glorify God and serve others. I can even find joy amidst the rollercoaster of menopause and ever-changing middle school lingo. Because my identity is rooted in Christ, I am not defined by my physical and mental limitations. Because I am anchored by the hope found in his Word, I can do more than just survive —I can thrive. The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:12-15 (ESV)
0 Comments
 “The Bible is a message from God written in epic fashion as a collection of anthologies to chronicles the story of Jesus’ redemption of sinners and His appeal for us to live considering His work on our behalf.” Kristie Anyabwile, Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile
Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together without having the picture to use as a reference? I have. Well, I tried…and my husband helped a little. Our friend gave us a ziploc bag that said “Snow White” on the outside. That was all we had to guide us. The outside wasn’t too hard to put together. But then we had no idea which side was the top. We tried each piece one by one around the outside without much success. And then we tried to group the pieces by colors to make sense of the overall picture — but the odds were not in our favor. Making sense of the Bible can feel like that sometimes. At first, it seems like a random collection of stories and philosophical musings, even though we know it’s ‘the Bible.’ But if we understand the overarching narrative of Scripture and look at each piece in light of that story, the puzzle starts to click—and the picture begins to emerge. Kristie Anyabwile’s book Literarily is a guide that helps us understand each of the BIble’s pieces — the genres that shape its story. In her approachable, thoughtful style, she shows how the Bible’s many genres—law, narrative, poetry, prophecy, letters, wisdom literature, and even apocalyptic writing—fit together into one epic story pointing to Jesus. Anyabwile walks readers gently through each genre, with clear examples and study questions that curiosity, discovery, and reflection. One of my favorite insights is her suggestion to look for “Easter eggs”—recurring themes woven throughout Scripture. Taken together, these threads unify the Bible’s message and consistently point us to Christ. Reading this book reminded me that studying Scripture is never just an intellectual exercise. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to shape our hearts and conform us more into Christ’s likeness. Literarily is a treasure for anyone who has ever felt confused or overwhelmed by certain parts of the Bible. Whether you’re a teen trying to make sense of the Psalms, a parent walking with your kids through the Gospels, a ministry leader shepherding others, or a seasoned reader hoping to see familiar passages in a fresh light, this book equips you to read Scripture thoughtfully, joyfully, and with confidence. After reading Literarily, you’ll be able to piece together the Bible in ways that make sense—but unlike a puzzle, this isn’t just a pastime. It’s a lifelong adventure, one that will shape your heart, your mind, and your walk with God. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 |
RSS Feed