When Billy Graham was 92 years-old, he was struggling with Parkinson’s disease. A month before his 93rd birthday, he was invited by community leaders in his hometown to a luncheon in his honour. Billy initially hesitated to accept because of his struggles with Parkinson’s disease. However, the organisers said, ‘We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honour you.’ So, he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the audience, and said: “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who has been honoured by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there. He looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it. “The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.” Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. “The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are, no problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand-new suit. My children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So, I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: “I not only know who I am. I also know where I’m going.”

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. From my personal perspective, reaching the winter of your life doesn’t mean that life is over. Far from it!  Every day seniors are challenging the notion that life’s biggest accomplishments are reserved for the young, which gives us inspirational stories for senior citizens to feel empowered and encouraged.

There are no real limits to our progress, even in the second half of life.  Science has shown “life and learning doesn’t end at 50.” The window to higher living and true development in life is never shut unless we close it ourselves.  The second half of life opens new challenges, opportunities, and the chances to turn negatives into positives.

The Bible is filled with examples of men and women whom God used late in life, often with great impact. Noah was over 500 years old when he started building the Ark. He lived for 950 years. Moses was in his 80s when God first spoke to him and used him to be the prophet who led the Israelites out of burden from Egypt. He was 120 when he died. God used them very effectively in their senior years!

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of humanity is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. [Jack London – American author].

It is a time to blaze, to use the time we have left. Each person is called to fulfil a purpose in life. And it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are. Never underestimate the potential hidden within you. Keep pushing the frontiers of the possible for “nothing is impossible to the one who believes.”

God believes in you; do you? It’s never too late to do something amazing. It’s never too early to start trying. “In old age they will still bear fruit, will remain fresh and green…” [Psalm 92:14].

May each of us live our lives so that when our ticket is punched, we don’t have to worry about where we are going.

Have a golden day. Treasure life!