Ecclesiastes 12:3

³ When the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim. 

Once upon a time, a gardener kept exerting physical efforts in his advanced years. He exercised every now and then just to maintain not only his health but also his alertness. He spent days alone at home while his family members are away to work. He planted vegetables and flowers, and it was therapeutic moment for him. He carried two watering cans on both hands to water plants. It’s another means of exercise, he thought.

One day, after several times carrying water back and forth, he stepped on a piece of stick on the ground. He stumbled and fell. He reflected on why he stumbled – what went wrong? He thought that he stepped over the stick, but he tripped over it instead.  Maybe, he did not lift his foot as high as he thought he had or his reflexes might not be as quick as he thought it should be.

What should older people do to energize their reflexes so that they can move quickly? Physical and mental exercises are advisable, but spiritual alertness has eternal benefits that should be taken very seriously. Physical health can deteriorate. It says in Deuteronomy 34:7, ⁷Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 

For 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites had manna bread for breakfast and quail meat for supper (carbohydrates for breakfast, protein for supper). Is this biblical diet? Well, Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his sight and strength did not grow weak. Did God allow such fantastic experience because Moses was very much close to him?

One may live more than hundred years, but the reality of limited lifespan cannot be ignored. Physical and mental fitness could be beneficial to keep us going, but spiritual fitness should be seriously considered.

What life do you have eternally? Have you earned much eternal treasures, yet?

Lord Jesus, help us be spiritually, physically and mentally fit.

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