Today I am growing older. I write this on my birthday, a square on the calendar that reminds us in poignant fashion that time marches on.

I don’t feel older. I can’t even see it when I look in the mirror. Honestly, I can’t. But, when I look at photographs of “then and now,” I see it. I’m getting older.

And so, I ask myself today: Does that mean I’m getting wiser? Have I learned any lessons along the way that help me make more sense of life here and now? Have I assessed and absorbed, or do I settle for just numbly sleepwalking my way through it all?

Am I getting more spiritual? As the years pass, do I discern that which is transient from that which is eternal? And, am I smart enough to know where to sink my roots? When I was a kid, I wanted things and thrills, and, of course, I wanted it all right now. But as an aging adult, do I have a longer sense of vision that focuses on things that are lasting and spiritual?

Am I getting a better sense of priorities? I understand that everyone I meet is important and has upon them the fingerprint of God. And, I will seek to treat them appropriately, with kindness, compassion, and dignity. At the same time, as the years pass, do I remember that there are a handful of people who give me life? And, as I take care of the masses, am I careful not to neglect the few who feed my soul (family members and friends who allow me to be myself, warts and all, and who love me anyway)? Likewise, as I age I hope to comprehend more fully that I cannot do all things, but there are certain things God has gifted (and thus Called) me to do. Will I address my primary energies to the few crucial tasks and not allow the peripheral claims on my time and attention to detract from those? Am I learning to prioritize?

Am I willing to claim joy? Whereas it is imperative to be serious about a world with such complex and demanding issues, it is unfaithful to sacrifice joy. Unfaithful? Yes, I think so – especially since Jesus said: “I have come that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Have I learned, while taking care of others, to also set aside some things that feed my soul and make me smile?

Have I learned to love? Ultimately, that’s why we are all here. It really is that simple. Again to quote Jesus: “This is my commandment, that you love one another.” It is why we were created. I hope to be successful, happy, meaningful, noticed … but, in order to find life that is authentic, the one thing I have to be is loving. I would hate to think I have lived this long and missed that lesson. Day by day, am I willing to find ways to put love into practice for people? Anything less than that misses the point of being alive.

There’s an old phrase we love to throw around: “You’re not getting older; you’re getting better.” Well, I am getting older. But, at the same time, I hope I am also getting better at figuring out why I’m here and at living into that. I can’t get the previous years back. If I could, there would be much I would do differently. But, yesterday is gone.

Today, however, I can follow new paths and make new commitments. And if I do that every new “today,” then I will create a whole host of meaningful tomorrows … and maybe, just maybe, getting older will actually mean getter better, too.