Chip Conley in his book, “Wisdom at Work”, says that “we age in public, but our true gifts are often private”. I’ve pondered on this statement and got a profound revelation. You see, in my view, we evaluate age in two dimensions. One is how we physically look, and the other is what we can or are considered capable of doing. Grey hair or wrinkled skin (how we look) is associated with old age; failing vision or slower walk is associated with aging.
I have fallen victim to this dimension of evaluation. In the 2024 London marathon, the men’s winner was an Ethiopian who in my eyes (and those of others) looked much older than his actual age. The appearance of receding hair and spots of white hair led many to make that conclusion. Despite his appearance, his performance seemed to be contradictory.
The other dimension is what we can or cannot do. Society has defined certain tasks, or activities including recreational events as age-appropriate, and some with good reason. However, sometimes this criterion can underestimate the ability of those who it considers incapable. Think of the grandma who runs an ultra-marathon much faster than her grandchildren or her children. People her age are considered past their ability to withstand the rigors of such undertakings, until there is an outlier.
The bible in the book of Isaiah 49 gives a conversation about someone who at the beginning thinks that they have outlived their usefulness. Using the context above, society may have viewed that person as a left-over or a spent force. The person starts off by thinking highly of themselves as divinely chosen. But his confidence is quickly wiped out by doubt in verse 4 which says, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.” This is familiar territory for those who look at their lives using conventional two-dimensional lenses. Deep regret clouds their view with words like “I could have, I should have, I would have.”
When I think of age, I see a whole lot more than just appearance or a narrow range of abilities. The social construct of an old person is based on an edited version of that person. Their life generally is considered based on how they outwardly look today. That 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90 year old is not just a point-in-time version of a human. They are a collection of a child with childlike curiosity, an adolescent with a touch of rebellion for status quo and desire for novelty, a young adult with inner vitality and desire to change the world and an older adult gazing in the horizon of the sunset.
In verse 6 of Isaiah 49, there is a change of tune from regression to progression. The one who thought of themselves as a spent force is reminded that their range of usefulness would be extended. In other words, God still had use for their time, their talent, and their treasure for His own glory.
To reach an advanced age is to be fortunate enough to live a complete package of different life stages in the present. You can be a child, an adolescent, a young adult and a senior citizen as one package. The aged are not trapped in the latter age. Instead, they live in a continuum of stages with the flexibility to dial in different ages of their lives guided by crystallized wisdom over the years.
I have observed that life segments age in three segments. In our childhood, we are our vitality. How we engage physically, grow and develop our physiological selves. In our adulthood, we are our productivity. What we have acquired in terms of skills, wealth, social status etc. In our elderhood, we are our humanity. This last segment is the point where we integrate our productivity and vitality with our humanity.
As I grow older, I am deliberate to unshackle my desire to prove myself to the gallery in terms of vitality and productivity. I use my newfound freedom to express my humanity by taking care of myself. Physically by keeping fit through physical exercise. Mentally by slowing down and decluttering my mind. Spiritually by cultivating a deeper connection with God through His word. I also take care of others with unrestrained energy and unbound generosity.
I have fully embraced my eldership without reservation or shame. I continue to develop the editorial acumen to distinguish between what is meaningful and meaningless to me. I will employ my time to eschew futility while fully immersing myself in the significance both for the present and the future as the Lord leads. I refuse to live like a societal leftover who is considered to have outlived his purpose. Instead, fully submit myself to the hands of my Father to use me as a complete package; a light to the nations, an integral part of society that is needed, sought and tapped into.
Selah!
-Peter
Peter Muya turned 50 this year in Nairobi, Kenya. He considers himself a catalyst of socio-economic transformation using his talent, training, thoughts, treasure and testimony to make Africa great again for the next generation. He is a father of three, married for over two decades and been fortunate to work as a Digital Tech advisor for over two decades working with bluechip companies in Africa as well as African governments. Currently, he is focused on working with nonprofits that tackle key challenges of our continent which are primarily health, nutrition and education.