The Future - More or Less

Jesus said “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

When I was younger I remember thinking that older people spent way too much time thinking about retirement. Now that I am living with a clearer view of life’s brevity, I think I more or less understand things a little differently.

Older people spend more time thinking about their final years because they can see them all too clearly. When you have less it is easy to see the less.

In the book "The Shack", author William Young relates an imaginary conversation between Mack, the main character, and Jesus. Jesus asks Mack, “Mack, do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?”

Ouch! I am like Mack! These words caught me like a slap in my spiritual face. As I grow older I should see Jesus more than the “less” that seems to have captured my attention.

Oswald Chambers says that anxiety is the result of “calculating without God.” Ouch again! Older people are constantly calculating the “less” to be sure it lasts long enough.

Growing older is easily one of the biggest challenges most of us face if we are blessed with a long life. Growing older sneaks up on you though. One day you wake up and there it is—“Less.” Where did the more go? He is still there. Do not fear the “less.”

Only Jesus can make “less” more in any phase of life. I am glad He can! I certainly can’t make “less” more and that is why I need to be reminded to see Him more in my future.