I don’t know about you, but my spiritual needs are not quite the same as they used to be. In fact my needs in general are not the same as they used to be. I’m in my fifties now, and how I respond to life—emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically—is simply different. Some days it feels as if it’s a not-so-great kind of different, but that’s probably because I live in a culture that worships youth and is obsessed with never getting old. I’ve been conditioned all my life to fear life in the later years, to fear change in general. This is a cultural conditioning, and it is not in agreement with the Christian faith, because Christianity honors life from beginning to end and sees God’s presence throughout the spectrum of ages and situations.
If I allow my Christianity to condition me, then I will learn to move into the changing seasons of life—with hope, purpose, and celebration. And when I notice that my needs and desires are shifting now and then, I can relax into the knowledge that I am becoming more and more who I am, more and more the person God dreamed me to be from the beginning.
How is life different now? Well, I’ll summarize just a few ideas in this post, and we’ll certainly keep exploring this topic from time to time, as we continue on our journey of “women growing wiser.”
My needs and desires used to focus more on growing a family (in my case a marriage with stepchildren) and a career. Family is still a top priority, but the kids are grown and living in other cities. My career is well-established, and I don’t feel the pressure to prove myself as I once did—only the pressure to continue with the goal of excellence in my work.
In the earlier years, I longed to know my place in the world. For young adults especially, sometimes the search can go on for years and cover many places and situations. Now it’s not so much about location—about finding the perfect town or home—as it is about deepening existence where I am right now. I’m happy with the home I have but realize that “home” has more to do with what’s inside. The interior life is the real location. That’s my place in the world.
From my teens through my twenties, life was all about acquiring information, getting smarter and better educated. I’m still taking classes—a seminary course here and there—but I don’t have the same need to fill up with information. I’m not so hungry to know more; I’m hungrier to understand more, to be wiser with the information I already have.
So, what about you? How have your needs changed?
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I’m not sure just what my needs are just yet-as I have recently had all my children move away to further education.My major focus was them and of course my job. Now is a very different time and I am slowly realizing there is a new way of life and purpose on the horizon. I feel somewhat like a runner after a very loooong marathon. I know I have to walk around , shake it off, and catch my breath before the next huge race!
I think my needs have changed from wanting to do all things well to wanting to do small things well. I am not looking for results as I once was. I want to kiss my grandchildren on the cheeks and make sure they know that I am truly with them when I am with them. I want to enjoy even the disruptive moments of the day, to relax and know God is working in my life. I don’t want to do anymore. I just want to be.
Thanks for this gem of wisdom. Peace–Vinita
While reading this…I am confirmed of my own journey now…
contentment in simplicity. Peace in interiority and Joy in what is now and living it fully. Thank you very much, Thank you for your presence and sharing this with us.
As I grower older, I find myself longing for a more simple life. I don’t need or want a lot of “stuff”. I find a great need to draw closer to God. In my younger years I replaced God with other things. Now I am enjoying the time I spend with Him and I find spending time with Him helps me to understand myself better.