Turning 50

I turned 50 this past Wednesday September 6. As I reflect on this harsh (well maybe not harsh) reality several thoughts come to mind.

Have I lived life well so far? Have I loved my wife well (have I cared honored and cherished her well) during our 27 - 28 years of marriage? Have I been the kind of father I should have been for my daughters? Have I made a difference in the lives of those I have been associated with? What will the future hold? How many more years will I have on earth?

I visited a web site this past week, www. Deathclock.com. Based on certain variables, it uses a mathematical algorithm to predict your demise date. Mine turned out to be July 10, 2054 assuming I am optimistic, May 11, 2007 assuming I am a pessimist and June 18, 2029 assuming I am normal. It strikes me that as I look at these different dates that attitude plays a big role in your life. It most certainly plays a role in the quality of your life, but it apparently, according to the death clock folks, plays a role in the length of your life. In my case some 47 added years.

One of our new faculty members, Longy Anyanwu, commented to me at lunch last week that the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:9-14 that our concern should not be about the past but the future and that it is about knowing the power and grace of the resurrected Christ.

Being 50 or just being is about wanting to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. His comment gave me some perspective on what this 50th “milestone” means.

One last thought unrelated to aging. When I talk to students about our departmental philosophy of being a steward, I discuss the notion of what an artisan is. The example I typically use is Norm Abrams from the television show This Old House. Norm is a master carpenter who can make a beautiful article from just pieces of wood. Tables, chairs, cabinets, you name it Norm can make it. This analogy has been helpful in explaining how a manager must be so committed to quality that he puts not only his effort but his heart into working with people. I mention this because I think my analogy will change. You see, we have our own “Norm Abrams” on the Tabor College campus. His name is Wes Seibel. Wes is an artisan who not only puts his heart into creating and repairing campus stuff, he puts his heart into the people he comes in contact with. I have so come to appreciate his warmth, humor, and servant attitude. He went into the hospital this week with a brain tumor. His surgery was this past Monday September 11. The latest report we received was he was in intensive care and doing well. If you could take a few moments to remember Wes in prayer I would appreciate it.

Philippians 3: 13-14 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)