“Too old for what,” you may ask. Certainly the answer can vary. Am I too old to go for a walk? I hope not. How about too old to be a gymnast in the Olympics? For me – definitely. Let’s say you are 40 years old – are you too old to play in the NFL? Most would say “Yes.” However, Tom Brady, who is 44, says, “No,” and he hopes to play until he is 50. For many, 50 used to be perceived as being “old.”
Lately, 60 has been labeled as the border age to the word “old.” Yet as a result of new research conducted by the World Health Organization, a new criterion is being used to divide human age, with regards to average health and life expectancy.
- 0-17 years old: underage
- 18-65 years old: youth or young people
- 66-79 years old: middle aged
- 80-99 years old: elderly or senior
- 100+ years old: long-lived elderly
Wow! That is certainly a different perspective on life. Now granted, health issues are an unknown factor for individuals. But know what a huge role the perception of ourselves plays in this equation – how would you plan your life differently if you didn’t see “elderly” beginning until age 80? That is 15 years beyond what many think of as the magical age to retire. But what if we saw those years as an opportunity to continue to live out our God-given purpose? Would it make a difference in how you approach your life and your activities?
I want to encourage you to consider this statement – “God has called you to make a difference until God calls you home.” I wonder, how that might look for you? Maybe you’re not as old as you think.