On Monday nights I have been volunteering at a local nursing with some other members of our church.  I try to make the rounds, talk to the residents and see if they have any special needs or prayer requests.  The last time I was there I talked with a dear lady who shared with me about her family and some of their needs. She told me she was tired and had not been feeling well physically.  She asked me to pray for her health so that she will have the energy to pray for her family and be able to remain strong in her faith until the Lord calls her home.  She was so genuine and so sweet.  I told her that her request reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”

I also told her how much I enjoyed visiting with her and how I believed she was serving as a good example of a mature saint.  I promised to pray for her strength in the upcoming weeks and we prayed together before I left.

As I continue in my own journey of “maturing” as a believer, it becomes more evident to me all the time that this outer man is decaying.  I have new aches and pains every year, I get injured more easily and it takes me longer to bounce back from those injuries.  Though I am trying to take care of myself physically by eating better and working out, I still acknowledge what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:11…eventually time overtakes us all.

But thankfully, even though this outer man is decaying and my body is beginning that steady process of slowly growing weaker as I age, I know I can count on God to renew my inner man and strengthen my spirit. He does so as I spend time with Him; in His word and His will, in His praise and with His people.  We serve a wonderful and merciful God.  The Lord is good and I am confident that He will honor my friend’s request.