God Shortening Lifespans
Guessing God's Mind
“It is Good” watercolor by Myra Alibrando
Rites of Passage
As a first-grade child, I wanted to be liked.
By High School, I didn’t expect everyone to like me so I wanted to be in a group I could fit in with.
By age 21, I wanted to be right. Very egotistical.
Probably by my late thirties, I wanted to be respected and genuinely respectable. Finally, some progress in character.
Now, in my early seventies, I am not retired but want to be productive daily. The big change is I want to be beneficial to others without risking the resources set aside for my family.
Natural Goals Naturally Right
There was never a stage since childhood, I was not 100% confident of my values, goals, and motives. Why?
Because at any time, we see everything through the lens of our values. In the most natural way, I always want to gain or achieve whatever is important to me.
To see my priorities change so many times in my life makes me wonder about the people who lived 800-900 years in early years of Genesis.
Maturing to Age 800
This was God's plan after the curse that folks live that long. Most married long after age 50 and many after age 100.
We always applaud our own progress shaking our heads at our former immaturity. Would I laugh at my seventy-year old self as naïve compared to my 300-year old self? All of our measurements are relative to our experience, right? Would 700-year old men assure me of good things ahead by the time I reach their age? Like what?
No doubt, health and vigor continued till the common age of dying in those times. To me this means men and women were actively healthy for hundreds of years able to compete athletically with their great, great, great grandchildren.
The Children Become Elders
When God decided to shorten the lifespan of men, I am curious about His thinking. An 80-year old back then is 10% of 800. An 8-year old today is 10% of 80. Compared to lifespans of 800 years, 80 is like a child, isn’t it? Maybe an adult body but clearly far less experienced and knowledgeable than an 800-year old.
God always loves us and wants us to do well, and yet this was clearly God’s exclusive decision.
" . . . he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b
So in my imagination, He witnessed very few 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700 year-old men changing their paths. I’m guessing. We know basically all chose rebellion against God.
Men like trying to be god. Men like to rule over other men. How much darker can the world get if evil hearts add hundreds of years of expertise on how to manipulate, rule, dominate, and conquer future generations? Where corruption may seem the only option, how many new generations have any chance of overthrowing generations of corrupt alliance hundreds of years older?
In American politics, it is called "term limits" when we maximize how long someone can govern so we can make room for someone to serve.
In Genesis 6, we see God already decided to shorten lifespans to 120 before the flood.
So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” Genesis 6:3
God shortened generations, and again in my imagination, I expect He decided at the very young age of 70, men have had enough time to choose their fate; serve God or something else.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27
Again, God shortened life even more:
The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10
We all want to lengthen our life but God has shortened our decision time: Life or Death? I can conceive it is God’s mercy that has reduced the term limits of multi-generational rooted corruption to only 1 generation in power ahead of the next. There is room for better choices in a generation. The odds are not as overwhelming as in ancient times but we also cannot delay our choices for hundreds of years. We must decide who we serve. Whatever we choose, God alone will decide if we are permitted to enjoy His community of love living forever without sin. Want some tips and advice on succeeding on this?
Dive in to the Word and make sure you understand it, one day at a time.
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Have a great week.
Another thought provoking article, reflecting on your profound insights on life stages and God's sovereignty in determining lifespans, I am inspired to apply these reflections in my own journey as a research scientist. The concept of experiencing and maturing at a different pace makes me ponder about my professional evolution and the urgency to make impactful contributions. Your exploration of life's term limits reminds me of the importance of setting short, impactful goals in my research, ensuring each day is spent advancing knowledge with integrity and purpose. Your reminder that "we all want to lengthen our life but God has shortened our decision time" urges me to prioritize and act decisively in my pursuits.
Thank you, Sam, for this enlightening perspective. I look forward to your next piece with great anticipation, eager to glean more wisdom to guide my scientific endeavors and personal growth.
“It is Good” watercolor by Myra Alibrando
Myra, your watercolor painting “It is Good” is simply delightful. The vibrant autumn colors you’ve chosen immediately capture my attention, bringing warmth and a sense of peace to the scene. The golden hues of the trees contrast beautifully with the deep greens of the pines, making the landscape feel alive with the changing season. I can almost feel the crispness of the air and the calm that comes with this time of year.
The soft mountains in the background add a gentle touch to the composition, grounding the piece with a sense of vastness and tranquility. I love how the sky gently transitions from a soft blue to light clouds, creating an airy, open feeling. The way you've depicted the birds flying overhead adds movement and a hint of freedom, as though they are soaring through this peaceful, serene setting.
The reflection of the sky and trees on the water is subtle but powerful, drawing the viewer into the calm stillness of the scene. There’s something so soothing about the way you've portrayed nature in its quiet, simple beauty, reminding us of how much peace we can find when we slow down and take in the world around us.
Your talent for bringing nature to life with such harmony and balance is inspiring. Keep painting, Myra! As Henry David Thoreau said, "This world is but a canvas to our imagination." Your imagination and skill are creating beautiful things, don’t stop sharing them!