Peter Pan Syndrome
Does anyone remember the Peter Pan song where he sings, “I
won’t grow up…I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up, No sir, Not I,
Not me, So there!”
Those were my thoughts as I biked the 14 mile trail through
the Glenwood Canyon. With beauty surrounding me, friends beside me and the sun
shining on me I felt like a kid. And I didn’t want to grow up or grow old.
For some of you that might seem comical because you already
think of me as being old…after all the number associated with my age is well
past the half-century mark, I have multiple grandchildren and am closer to
retirement than I care to think, but I feel young at heart.
When I think of my grandparents, I remember them as old--they
looked old and acted old. Why is that?
It’s not the number associated with my age or the fear of
getting old, it’s that I don’t want to give up enjoying life, trying new things
and serving God.
The Bible promises us that we can be productive into the
twilight years. Moses was 80 when he led the nation of Israel out of bondage
into the Promised Land. Abraham started his family at the age of 100. Caleb
asked for the high country when he was 80. John was in his nineties when he
wrote the book of Revelation. There are many more examples, but I think you get
the picture.
The Psalmist compares Christians to a tree that is planted in
God’s house that flourishes. It also says that we can bear fruit in our old age
and still be fresh and green (Psalm 92:12-15). To me that sounds a bit like the
Peter Pan syndrome; we don’t have to grow old, but can remain vibrant and
serving God all throughout our lifetime. Will you join me on that journey?
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray
hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry
you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
www.hearthope.org
Comments