Still Called to Write: Finding Purpose in Your Writing Life as You Age

From Edie: Discover how your calling to write continues with purpose and strength at every age. Be encouraged that God never retires your gifts—your experience, wisdom, and voice matter now more than ever. Keep writing with confidence and joy as you grow.

Still Called to Write: Finding Purpose in Your Writing Life as You Age

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. Psalm 71:9 NLT

As a young boy, the thought of being sixty seemed far away. That was the age of grandparents or even great-grandparents. If I imagined myself at that age, I, like Scarlet in Gone with the Wind, would typically say, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

Then, it happened. Suddenly, I was there. I began planning for retirement at sixty-two, but the economy went sour, and retirement became a distant possibility. Before I knew it, I approached sixty-four, and my wife planned a birthday party for me. 

The party wasn’t a big shindig, but it was noisy. How could it not be when seven grandsons, all under the age of fourteen, showed up? Along with their parents, from whom they get the loudness. But I love them all, and Pop was glad they all made time on a Saturday to visit me. 

When the day was over and the house was quiet again, my wife and I took a deep breath, smiled, and began cleaning up. Who said aging couldn’t be fun? In fact, that morning, I told her, “Sixty-four doesn’t feel any different than sixty-three.” After all, age is only a number. And it is with the writing life also. Who said we had to retire from it at sixty-two, sixty-five, or sixty-seven? 

The psalmist doesn’t provide his age, but he classifies it as old—whatever that means. His strength was failing, as is typical. This old gray mare (or in this case, mule) isn’t what he used to be. But the psalmist’s primary concern was that God not set him aside or abandon him. Why he thought God would, he doesn’t say. But he didn’t have to worry.

Aging can change our perspective on things. We often become more pensive, as I have. We think more about what lies ahead while also reflecting on the miles we have already traveled. Some things we can’t even remember anymore. Some days, we’re happy. Others, we’re sad. But all those years provide us with a host of writing material to share with others who might need to hear what we write. 

One thing we don’t have to worry about, however, is what the psalmist mentioned. God never abandons his children or takes away our gift. Our strength may fail, but God’s never will. He can carry us through whatever the aging process brings. If we can speak into a microphone, dictate to someone else, or move our fingers on a keyboard, we can write for God’s glory. One day, I’m sure I’ll retire from my full-time occupation, but I don’t plan to throw the towel in on writing. 

Whatever comes your way as you age—and in whatever form it comes—keep writing. God will walk by your side and give you the strength and courage to keep penning his word. 

TWEETABLE

Still Called to Write: Finding Purpose in Your Writing Life as You Age from Martin Wiles (@LinesFromGod) on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at mandmwiles@gmail.com.