The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
In a quaint and quiet New England town, in a place called Faith Haven- lived a remarkable man named Elias. At 99 years old, Elias was a testament to the power of faith and resilience. Each day, he embarked on his morning and afternoon constitutionals, marveling at the world with the wonder of a child. Despite the challenges of age, he attributed his enduring strength and spirit to the unwavering grace of God.
As many elders do, Elias faced the trials of arthritis, his joints stiff and aching. Yet, he took each step with gratitude, finding solace in the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped.” (Psalm 28:7). He understood that while his body may falter, his spirit was sustained by the divine.
Cataracts clouded Elias’s vision, making the world a blur of shapes and shadows. Even so, he found clarity in the promises of Scripture: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). With a heart full of trust, he navigated life’s paths, confident that God was his guide.
His gait had weakened, and the days of swift, carefree movement were long gone. But Elias embraced each journey, no matter how slow. He reminded himself of the prophet Isaiah’s words: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). Each step was a testament to his faith, a promise of strength renewed in God’s time.
Appetite changes had come with age, and his once hearty meals had become modest. Still, Elias gave thanks for every bite, remembering Jesus’s assurance: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25). His faith taught him to find contentment in simplicity.
Organ issues threatened his health, but Elias faced each challenge with a peace that passed understanding. He leaned on the Apostle Paul’s wisdom: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6). His prayers were a constant conversation with the divine, a source of unwavering comfort.
In Faith Haven, some elders lived with companions and support systems, their days filled with the warmth of community. Elias saw God’s hand in their relationships, echoing the sentiment: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). He cherished the fellowship of friends who walked the journey of faith alongside him.
Yet, there were others who faced their struggles alone, their faith a beacon in solitude. Elias admired their strength, recalling Jesus’s promise: “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). They lived each day with the assurance that they were never truly alone.
Elias was among the fortunate few who, despite the wear of time, experienced no serious ailments. His body, though waning in strength, remained free from the burdens many others bore. He praised God with the psalmist’s declaration: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1). His spirit, as youthful as ever, continued to dream and hope.
In the tapestry of life, Elias’s story was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the sustaining power of faith. Each challenge he faced was met with a heart full of trust and a mind set on God’s promises. Whether in moments of struggle or peace, he found his strength in the Lord, and in doing so, he lived a life that inspired all who knew him.
Elias’s journey was not just a tale of physical endurance but a profound illustration of spiritual vitality. It was a reminder that while our bodies may age, our spirits, nurtured by faith, can remain ever young, ever hopeful, and ever strong in the embrace of God’s love.
When we remember that although we are dying/aging in the flesh on a daily basis our spirit is being renewed exponentially by the Word, His love and His promises and our faith of what is yet to come.
“ O LORD, Heavenly Father, In Thy infinite mercy, look down upon Thy servant and upon all who, in the autumn of life, seek Thy strength and solace. Grant us the wisdom to walk by faith and not by sight, to find contentment in Thy divine provisions, and to trust in Thee through all trials. May our spirits, renewed by Thy promises, soar on wings like eagles, and may we find peace in Thy everlasting Presence. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
