AP

By James Jeffery

The great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121-180) wrote:

“Life is a pilgrimage and a struggle. All we have of time is a moment; the universe is in constant flux; our bodies are fragile; our senses grasp so little; our souls are a mist; the future is a fog; and fame is fleeting.”

It is quite extraordinary that a man of his stature, wealth, and influence would say such a thing. Despite having rule over the entire Roman empire, Marcus could see through the fleeting nature of this transient world.

While Marcus was not a Christian, he rightly talked about life as a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a prolonged journey toward a particular destination. This is an appropriate way to describe the life of each of us, for we are all pilgrims!

However, many of us have not taken the time to stop and reflect upon where we are headed. This is the most critical question we must ponder, for the destination of our pilgrimage is what matters most.  

Where are you headed?

I have a suspicion that the ‘midlife crisis’ is caused by a lack of clarity regarding our destination. One dictionary defines as midlife crisis as: “a loss of self-confidence and feeling of anxiety or disappointment that can occur in early middle-age.”

There are at least two reasons why people go through a midlife crisis.

First, up until middle-age, life is virtually mapped out for us. All we need to do is go with the flow and follow the status quo You spend the first few years of life with Mum, the next 14 years of your life in school, and then head to university or start a trade. Once you reach middle-age, this sense of predictability and direction is lost. Therefore, anxiety can kick in begging the question: What next?

Second, it’s easy to think we are in control of our lives until we hit middle age. In fact, this delusion continues for some until their dying breath. The optimism and utopianism of youth is smashed by the realism of life in a fallen world. Broken relationships, the loss of parents, wayward children, and chronic illness all seem to hit in the middle of life. This can be extremely disorienting for many people.

You may be able to relate to the following sentiment: “When I was 20, I thought I could change the world. Now that I’m 40, I have realised that I can’t even change myself.”

Another way to describe a mid-life crisis is the realisation that we are not God. Despite thinking that we are in the driver’s seat of our lives, the midlife crisis reminds us that we are not the masters of our destiny, nor are we the captains of our soul.

The Opportunity of a Midlife Crisis

The midlife crisis presents a unique opportunity to reassess where you are headed in your pilgrimage. If we are to make the most of crises, we should take the time to confront the  following questions:

• Are you living for the glory of man, or the glory of God?

• Have you got confidence where you are headed when you die?

• What makes your life worth living?

These are confronting questions, but ones we must all have an answer for. If we refuse to ask them, we are simply living in denial.

The God who Gives Pilgrims Hope

Those who come to Jesus Christ in a midlife crisis will find refuge, stability, and hope. This is because life is all about Him, and not about us. He made us for Himself, and we will be restless until we find our rest in Him (Augustine). Trying to live any other way is a recipe for disaster.

Jesus Christ gives hope, meaning, and direction for us in this life, and the life to come. Those who trust in Jesus are pilgrims toward the New Creation, a place where there will be no more sin, suffering, mourning, or death.

Most of all, the New Creation is the place where God promises to dwell with His people forever. His resurrection from the dead guarantees this reality for all those who believe in Him. 

• If you are exhausted from aimlessly wandering, come to Jesus Christ today.

• If you are done with living for your own glory, repent and turn to Christ today.

• If you want the pearl of great price, the very thing that makes life worth living, find it in Jesus today. 

While everyone is a pilgrim, only those who are on a pilgrimage toward the New Creation have a hope that will never perish or fade away.

On this note, the words of C. S. Lewis are worth pondering:

“In the truest sense, Christian pilgrims have the best of both worlds. We have joy whenever this world reminds us of the next, and we take solace whenever it does not.”

Closing Prayer

Dear Father,

We praise You for showing us that our lives are not our own but belong to Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving meaning to our short lives by promising us an eternity with You and Your people. Holy Spirit, give us faith to believe in Your promises, and to know that it will be but a short time until we shall see Christ face-to-face. Remind us of our glorious destination, the New Creation, where You will put an end to all sin, mourning, crying, and death, and where You will be our God forever.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.