Forever Young

If there were a real Fountain of Youth, would you drink the water?

This is a fun prompt of a very spiritual question. One of those prompts I’d have fun debating in church or Sunday school.

Most would say they would ultimately choose to grow old gracefully, appreciate the maturity of age, accept God’s plan…

I’d try to listen but eventually everyone would sound like adults (teachers) in a Peanuts cartoon – “Wah, Wah, Wah…!”

Everyone posturing, trying to give the best spiritually correct answer while secretly screaming -“Absolutely! I’m not stupid!  Why do you think I dye my hair?”  or “I’d drink enough to stop my knees from creaking or to help me hold my bladder…”

No! I don’t dye my hair-too lazy! I wish only my knees creaked.  I’ll plead the fifth about the bladder. WARNING: Don’t tickle me or make me laugh too hard!

Why is this such a hard question?  Most buy or try something to stop hurting, sagging or wilting! Whether its cucumbers, Tylenol or the infamous comb-over, most would like to look and feel their best.

Thankfully this question is not part of heaven’s entrance exam, or is it?

Christians should want to live forever!  Or at least be aware that it is a major promise, because according to Jesus we will live forever– either in Heaven or Hell, depending on who we know.

Not many think about living forever, too many worry about not living long enough and only a few realize the entrance fee is already paid.

The plan was laid before the beginning of time:

Genesis 2: 8-9, 15-17 The Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.  The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Adam and Eve could eat from any tree, including the tree of life, they had this choice, a “real” fountain but…

Genesis 3:22  And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

There is a fountain (tree) of Youth (life). We were permitted to eat from it but our ancestors choose to eat from the forbidden tree.  We can judge Adam and Eve, fooling ourselves into believing we’d act differently but if we’re not sure we’d run to the tree of life or fountain of youth, or worse, claim we don’t want to live forever (as I have), well…hypocrite?  I know it is such an ugly word; I should get it stitched into my underwear, pants, shirts etc…

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

I plan to play hop scotch, do a few cartwheels and round off back handsprings! You?

Lord, thank you for your fountain of youth.  I am grateful of your promises. I look forward to meeting the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School in your Kingdom and playing on your playground forever. You are an awesome God. Hold, comfort and wipe each tear. Let us all drink from your fountain and dwell with your forever. Give us peace, hope and joy! Amen!

 Other “Forever Young” resources:

Burning Fire Shut Up In My Bones

Hastywords