I’d heard last fall that Chuck Norris would be 72 this spring, but didn’t realize until lately that he and I share a birthday week. Mine is March 8 and his is March 10 — easy to remember. As I often tell my wife, I can remember her Feb. 7 birthday since it’s the day after President Reagan’s. I’m honored to share a week with Walker Texas Ranger. As a commentator suggested this week, “Chuck Norris didn’t turn 72; 72 turned Chuck Norris”!

“Walker Texas Ranger” remains my favorite series on cable. I’ve seen each episode enough times that I find myself finishing Walker’s sentences. Walker Texas Ranger answers the age-old question, “Why pull out your sidearm and shoot someone safely when you can holster it and get in a karate fight?”

But speaking of getting older, there are some advantages. Here’s a list someone suggested:

1. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
2. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.
3. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
4. Your eyes won’t get much worse.
5. Nobody expects you to run into a burning building to rescue someone.
6. There’s nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.
8. In a hostage situation you’re likely to be released first.

We’re all getting older, ready or not.

However, I contend that getting older has a bad rap. King Solomon wrote, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16: 31).

The scriptures frequently honor the older members of society as sources of community wisdom. The biblical concept of “elder” has a rich tradition in both the Old Testament and the New. Elders were often called on to settle disputes.
They brought years of insight to situations of conflict.

The elders also knew firsthand the faithfulness of God. They understood that though others fail us, God doesn’t fail.
He’s faithful to his people through good times and bad. Senior adults can say this with conviction, and they often do.
Now, I admit it would be wonderful to have this kind of experience at a younger age.

A lady told me recently about her 50th birthday. Then she remarked, “I’d love to have a ‘30’ body and a ‘50’ brain!”
Me, too! But, unfortunately, the Creator didn’t design us that way.

So, the next best thing is to accept aging as his plan, try to do it gracefully and look for new ways to use our experience and wisdom to glorify him.

Serving God is our birthright no matter our age.