About a month ago, Unconventional examined Our Changing World, using roads as a metaphor on deeper societal issues. But not only do roads change, but riders do. For most of our Gray Hog rides, we had a long first day just to reach the main part of our ride. 650 miles became typical, sometimes more. At age 70 I began one of our long trips to Canada with an Iron Butt ride, 1080 miles in 16 hours…before heading into Canada. And for the three of us in SoCal, to beat the morning traffic, we’d have to wake up early to get on the road by 4 AM. And we loved it! The challenge, the break from the routine of work brought joy. A fine accomplishment.
Then in 2022 Jerry and I headed from the West Coast for the East to bag some states and see new territory, so we did the same. Some long days, necessary to finish the 8,500 miles. But it beat us up. Our three rides since have changed. Before, rarely did we stay in the same motel two nights in a row—now, it’s the goal. It saves packing, but more so, we have a slow day to see the local country on a loop. Some of our days, even those from one motel to another, range around 200-300 miles. Why? Both Jerry and this rider have changed. In our mid 70s, we can’t ride like we did in our 20s. 60s. Even our early 70s. But we ride. Yeah, sometimes we’ll do the long day, but reluctantly. The pic above was our home for two nights in Ogden, with some fine local exploring, sleeping in the same room as the night before.
The key: we adapt. Like Shakespeare encouraged us to be true to our own selves, we do. Experience gave me perspective on what I can and cannot do, and that changes. In looking at our church’s website I saw an opening for a campus pastor in Carlsbad, a town I love. Twenty years before I would have jumped on it. Then. But now, I don’t have the energy, it’s harder to connect with the younger church demographic. And my wife loves living in Temecula. 😊 So I mentioned it to her with a smile, and we laughed. Wrong timing.
So, we adapt. We keep in tune with the changing us. We identify our strengths, our weaknesses, our joys, our talents, our gifts. Our personality. We recognize that all people are shaped differently, based on their DNA, family, experiences, and more. Maybe read 1 Cor 12 about how God makes us different, yet we all have equal worth. Those differences certainly include stages of life.
Kick Starting the Application
What changes are you experiencing? Either from better recognizing your gifts and abilities, along with areas you don’t shine in? As you go through the years, how has your sense of identity refined itself? Are you now working and serving God in your sweet spot, that’s made for you? How have your goals changed as you have changed?