‘Don’t just count your years, make your years count’ – George Meredith (English novelist).
It’s only natural, during a birthday week, to do a bit of self assessment: successes, regrets (not many at all I’m happy to say), memories, wishes, what ifs… They can all creep up on you with the subtlety of an Exocet missile or the stealth of an invasive bathroom mildew. Either way, I’ve found myself surprised a few times by the turn my thoughts take.
Before getting lost down memory lane or caught on the the futile ‘would’ve-should’ve-could’ve’ roundabout, it’s good to take stock soberly and gratefully.
Questions about what we’ve accomplished and achieved, as well as the legacy we leave behind us are fairly universal.
Just recently I listened to a Ted Talk called: ‘What makes a good life?
It’s based on a 75 year study on happiness and begins with some statistics taken from a survey of the aspirations of millennials. Apparently 80% were set on becoming rich and 50% of that same group hoped to do so through becoming famous. From the dizzy heights of my fifth decade it all seems rather fatuous and fickle. The study however, has shown that, without doubt, what most of us intuitively probably knew already is true: the best lives in terms of happiness are those with multiple relationships which are nurtured to remain healthy and strong. In all of those instances people live longer and have fewer debilitating health issues regardless of their social demographic, educational achievements or income bracket.
It’s not rocket science.
This conclusion was underlined for me this week when I met 88 year-old John Ellenberger. Heard of him? No, me neither. In 1957, John and his wife Helen went to a mountain area of Indonesia. This was not a holiday, hardly even a job opportunity, more of a calling perhaps, to use his skills to bring the good news of Jesus in written form to a particular people group, the Damal. Ten years after they left home in the USA, the translation of John’s gospel was finished and printed. Twenty-one years after that, the entire New Testament was ready to go. It took another thirty-three years to plough through the entirety of the Old Testament and so, after sixty-four relentless years, the project was finally completed.
My 2021 milestone is not my 64th birthday (although I’m sure that will be along shortly…), but the thought of spending that many years on a single brain-stretching, head-scratching, culture-defying assignment has me in total awe. In truth, I only ‘met’ John through a magazine article (MAF magazine: Flying for life Oct-Dec2021) so I can only applaud him from a distance. But I do so enthusiastically and whole-heartedly. Both John and Helen have given their time, energy and focus to completing this remarkable translation which ensures that between 17,000-23,000 precious people can now ‘hear’ God speak to them in their own language.
The Ellenbergers have foregone the comforts of western living for the sake of something they believe is far more important. In consequence, it seems, they are very happy too. There is no evidence to suggest they reach their twilight years with regret, resentment or disappointment. Instead they have numerous relationships, the tremendous satisfaction of having seen this monumental task through from start to finish and the assurance that they gave their best years to something of enormous value. Oh, that we could all say the same.
There’s no point in comparison here; my own gifts or skills lie in a different direction, as I suspect do yours. However, to give our years to something of life-changing importance, which embodies our convictions and values and leaves a legacy for generations to come is certainly what I have always aspired to. I hope there are a few more laps to go until I’m done, but I want very much to stay on that track, even when it takes many breaths to blow out all those candles.
dancingthroughchaos 