I turn 60 this year. I really don’t mind, but it is hard for me to think of myself as a 60-year-old man. 

One thing that I’ve noticed is that when I do a triathlon, I’m now on the last bike rack. (The racks are usually determined by age, and I am now finding myself on the very last rack! I usually joke with the guys on my rack, “You know what the next rack is, don’t you?”)

I don’t think I would turn back the clock. God has used all 60 of those years to help me gain so much perspective. Here are 3 things I’ve learned in my life. 

1.    To appreciate every day. If I could do one thing differently, I would learn to appreciate each day. Rather then letting my circumstances get me down, rather than letting the stresses of life consume me, rather than letting my worries dominate my thoughts, I would appreciate each day for what it is. A gift from God. 

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14

2.    To trust God in everything. If I knew then what I know now, that God is always faithful, it could have saved me a lot of worry. God even took the difficult times and brought good from them—I grew, I learned, and my faith was strengthened. I just needed to trust Him.

Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, do not 
abandon those who search for You. Psalm 9:10

3.    To be thankful in everything. When I begin feeling discontentment creeping into my life, the cure is always to count my blessings. Being a Lead Pastor can be really hard and challenging. But, then, I always come back to the fact that every day when I go to work, I know that what I am doing matters. What an incredible blessing that is! 

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Whatever it takes (because I’m on the last rack),

Jerry