April 28, 2022 – Click here to listen
Yesterday my wife and I went fishing off the beautiful coast of northern Costa Rica. It was fun and at times hilarious. We had to be transported to and from our 50-foot fishing boat from a beach via a tiny rubber raft as there is no marina close to our location. It was quite the feat to board and deboard that little raft with big surf crashing all around us.
After our day of fishing just as our little rubber raft had returned almost to the beach a huge wave caught us and nearly turned us over. Then it was akin to riding a white-water raft as the wave carried us far ashore fast as the dickens.
My wife and I were laughing our heads off and whooping and hollering like two little kids. The fishing part of our journey consisted of just the two of us and we caught probably a dozen yellowfin tuna and a mahi-mahi. My wife usually doesn’t fish but this time she did and lo and behold caught the biggest fish of the day.
We were talking to one of the mates and he asked us how old we were. He refused to believe that we were 75 years old and insisted we were no more than 52. He said his grandparents were in their 70s and rarely ever left their house and had become feeble. They essentially did nothing and hadn’t for years.
Another mate asked how long we had been married. “51 years” I replied, He had just turned 42. He was already divorced with a baby boy and he said it was not a happy time for him. I gently told him his son needed a father to show him the ropes and he should revisit getting back together with her. He somberly nodded agreement.
Fidelity in Costa Rican culture is kind of rare. Many men have mistresses in addition to their wives and sometimes two or more. I was told it was part of their machismo. It seems that someone who remains true to their spouse is often ridiculed by others. I only saw a look of respect for staying married for 51 years and I wonder deep down if they wish they could. I know the young man I spoke with about it seemed visibly impressed.
He offered us an alcoholic beverage and listed everything from vodka and bourbon to scotch and wine. We told him we didn’t drink. He incredulously said, “Nothing? Even after we are finished fishing” I smiled and told him no thank you. He asked if I had ever been a drinker. I laughingly responded, “Yes, I used to drink heavily. I liked it, but it did not like me!” He laughed and said he was the same and had quit drinking too. He had been sober for three years and was beaming about it. I congratulated him and I mentioned that I was able to quit because the Lord helped me. He said the same thing happened to him.
I would encourage my readers who have reached the golden age of their lives to counsel those who are young. Though I don’t think I’m anything special, many youngsters look up to me and it provides a wonderful opportunity to witness to them. Maybe it’s my silver hair they respect, but they seem eager to listen to me. I love talking to youngsters about Jesus and getting their lives on a good path. I give all the credit for changing my life around to Jesus to whom it rightfully belongs and encourage them to do the same.
The disciples of Jesus traveled to cultures all over the world spreading the good news. We should be ambassadors of Christ as well and should be doing the same. There are indeed vast fields of struggling souls all over the world and especially in the United States who need to hear of the loving grace of Jesus.
I would suggest that though you are advancing in age that you not allow Satan to tell you that your life is finished except for living out your last days laying around the house. God has gotten you to this point and you are loaded with experience and are savvy to the world. Now He can really use you to influence those who are struggling. Take advantage of it now be it witnessing to youngsters, the sick, those who have suffered financial misfortune or worse the loss of a loved one. The needs of the people exceed the ambassadors for Christ from what I see. Enlist in God’s Army today! He wants YOU!
John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together . . .