When is old too old?

He’s done it again. Former President George H.W. Bush has once more jumped from a plane, this time at age 83 and on a newly replaced hip. It was in conjunction with the opening of his museum after that section of his Presidential library had been closed for renovations. The sky dive was the former president’s first since 2004 when he took a plunge to celebrate his 80th birthday. Bush’s first jump was back in World War 2 when he was shot down in the South Pacific. Of course, current jumps have been recreational with Mr. Bush strapped to a parachute team expert for safety purposes.

Few ever have the opportunity, or the bravery, to jump from a plane. And most would feel no real need to do so, especially if their craft was functioning just fine. Also, there are just as many who have a fear of flying, much less jumping, that prevents them from even boarding an airplane at all. With that said, this is a reminder that those who belong to Christ through faith are someday destined for a journey that will make jumping from a fighter plane seem effortless and dull by comparison.

The Apostle Paul speaks in 1 Thess. 4 about a great future event involving both those who have died in Christ and those who are still alive for His glorious return. In verse 16 Paul writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."

The excitement and joy of that miraculous upcoming event can only be imagined now by those destined to take it. But that same trip through the air is accompanied by a promise of a spiritually aided life-long flight in the here and now. The prophet Isaiah relates how those who trust fully in God to one day raise them up, will also be guided by Him through the dark skies of this life.

Beginning in verse 31 of chapter 40 he writes:
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."

The aging process will eventually catch up to, and ground, the aging 41st president. But those in Christ Jesus have the promise of soaring, even through life’s most stressful times, with the grace and strength of an eagle. And then someday they will be piloted to the heights of heaven itself through the resurrection power of God’s Son.

Bill Breckenridge