Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Romans 7:24
When we are young, our bodies seem to work flawlessly. We have strength, flexibility, energy and enthusiasm. When I was in grammar school, I participated in an annual fundraiser; a twenty-five-mile hike. People would sponsor me per mile, and I completed the walk each year without a problem. If I were to attempt that hike now, my sponsors would get away cheap.

But even an aging body is an amazing gift from God. Which makes me wonder: What if the drawbacks of aging are actually tremendous blessings? What if our ailments are God’s way of slowly, gently and lovingly preparing us for eternity? Maybe our physical weakening can lead to our spiritual strengthening. Maybe this is God’s way of whispering something incredibly joyful in our ear: “You’re getting closer to me,” God may be saying. “Closer to my unconditional love. Closer to being able to run and not grow weary. Closer to being delivered from this mortal body.”

Romans 7:18-25a • Psalm 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94 • Luke 12:54-59