‘Remember David’s words of wisdom: ‘All the days ordained for me [are] written in your book’ (Psalm 139:16). Some of us may have a three-volume tome on God’s shelf, others a simple paperback. Let’s take courage and comfort from knowing that however numerous our days, they are all safely in God’s hands,’ says Jenny Sanders.
Until very recently, the oldest woman in the world was a Brazilian nun, who lived for an astonishing 116 years. She passed away at the end of April leaving the new record for women’s longevity to a British woman.
Edith Caterham lives in a care home in Lightwater, Surrey and was, as of 1 May, 115 years and 252 days old. The last living Brit to have lived under the reign of Edward VII, Edith has seen other historic milestones including both World Wars, the Cold War, the Space Race, the establishment of the NHS and Welfare State, the decline of the British Empire and the rise of technology. She has witnessed twelve Prime Ministers and six monarchs.
What’s Ethel’s secret to a long life?
What’s Ethel’s secret to a long life? When she turned 100, she told her local radio that she’d simply, ‘taken everything in my stride, the highs and lows… I listen and I do what I like.’
We may admire her ability to be unfazed by the twists and turns of life – always easier said than done – and listening skills are worth honing, but doing ‘what we like’ isn’t generally encouraged in the walk of faith. That’s about surrender, putting God in pole position in our lives and thinking of others before ourselves, isn’t it?
What’s the real secret and do we want it?
Genesis shows us that, when the earth was young and life closer to how God intended, people lived for huge periods of time. Adam reached 930, Methuselah 969, Noah 950 and Abraham 175. Why? There are a number of theories.
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Firstly, before sin came into the world, death wasn’t part of God’s blueprint. When those malevolent forces intruded, it took time for their influence to extend throughout creation. Human DNA hadn’t had much chance to be corrupted by disease and mutations, and communion with God was still central.
With a healthy raw diet and no pollution it makes sense that bodies responded to better nutrition and cleaner air by working more optimally for longer.
With a healthy raw diet and no pollution it makes sense that bodies responded to better nutrition and cleaner air by working more optimally for longer. Fewer germs, no additives, fresh air and the physical demands of hunting and gathering would have played a part in those first centuries.
Prior to the flood, God limited life to 120 years (Genesis 6:3). The Bible suggests that there was no rain; just a water canopy enveloping the earth (Genesis 1:7) which may have protected the earth from radiation, resulting in the perfect climate for life to flourish.
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Living so much longer allowed time to multiply according to God’s command (Genesis 1:28) as well as for knowledge to be acquired, accumulated and shared. By Genesis four cities were being established which points to cultures emerging. Agriculture, industry and the arts were established (Genesis 4:20–22).
The traditional ‘three score and ten’ life span is referred to in Psalm 90. Today, the average life expectancy of a woman in the UK is approximately 83.
Regardless of our inherited genes, we’re wise to look after our bodies, our minds and our spirits: the physical, mental, emotional and parts of our life undergirded by our all important spiritual walk, which thrives when we keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Doing what he wants is a better plan than simply indulging our every whim.
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Ultimately, whichever face cream we use, cleansing diets we undertake, supplements we take and trips to the gym we squeeze in, none of us is getting out of here alive. Death is inevitable. But, in God’s family, we’re assured that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place of divine perfection for us in heaven.
Let’s live responsibly, steward what we have and enjoy the abundant life we’re promised here, even when circumstances aren’t ideal, in the full assurance that resisting heaven isn’t necessary.
Remember David’s words of wisdom: ‘All the days ordained for me [are] written in your book’ (Psalm 139:16). Some of us may have a three-volume tome on God’s shelf, others a simple paperback. Let’s take courage and comfort from knowing that however numerous our days, they are all safely in God’s hands.
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