50

Last updated on: July 8, 2017 at 10:40 pm by Jim Meisner Jr.

50 2017-07-08T22:40:13-04:00 Jim Meisner Jr.

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I turned 50 recently.
The age where we realize there are more yesterdays than tomorrows.
Half a century.
All the coins in my pocket are younger than I.
The most recent Supreme Court Justice is younger than I am.
At 20, I was months away from being arrested and more than 15 years away from recognizing God working in my life.
By age 36 I published two books.
June 17, 2003, I was baptized.
At age 42 I earned my Master of Divinity degree.
And at age 47 I became a father for the first time.
In 30 years I’ve experienced more shifts in my view of the world than I would have imagined possible.
I once supported capital punishment in the case of cop killers and terrorism — attacks against society. As a Christian I oppose all executions because Jesus was executed. Despite how some people behave, I believe God can help anyone be redeemed, and executions prevent redemption.
Redemption is possible daily for each of us. (Redemption.)
At 20, I was progressive politically and enjoyed the Grateful Dead. At 50, the teaching of Jesus has made me even more progressive and accepting of others. (But I no longer enjoy sweaty, dirty arena concerts and the hours it take to get to and from them. Jerry is gone and so too is my desire to follow the Dead on the road.)
God knows who we are, and loves us unconditionally. When we allow ourselves to feel the unconditional love of God we are able to extend that love to others. I didn’t know this at 20. I try to live it at 50.
At 20, like most 20 year-olds, I thought I had things figured out.
In seminary I worked at a retirement community where I talked with very elderly people who felt they didn’t have anything figured out. Their long lives left them with more questions than answers.
At 50 I accept the fact that I will never figure things out. I try not to waste energy looking for answers that don’t exist.
In the past 30 years I’ve tried to accept myself and others and each day as we are, not as I want them to be.
When I consider the past 30 years and the 30 years to come, I suspect my views will shift even more in ways I haven’t imagined.
As you look back and look ahead, considering the significant events that comprise your life, I wish you equanimity to accept the past and courage to face the future. May you have the strength of Muhammad Ali to stand up for what you believe, to take risks and to try new things.
Release the past to fully embrace the present and view the world differently, from this moment on.

Previous Post

July 6, 2017

Jesus had two dads

Next Post

July 31, 2017 God moves

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Celtic spirituality Christmas Civil Rights culture Easter Faith images in the news Prayer Quote Scripture Uncategorized vocational ministry Writing

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the name "Adam" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Earth Man Firstborn Breath of Life