DON’T LET THE OLD MAN IN

I was at a routine Doctor’s appointment. I asked my Doctor about some things I could do to get healthier and stay healthy. His reply: “Don’t Let The Old Man In”. I thought that was his original statement. I was pleased to find out it is a song written by Toby Keith. He wrote it after a conversation with Clint Eastwood. Toby Keith asked Clint Eastwood how he stayed so energetic even at age 88. Eastwood said…you guessed it…”Don’t let the old man in”.

Toby Keith is not a theologian but he is a really good song writer. He took that phrase and wrote a great little song entitled “Don’t Let The Old Man In”. Here are a few lyrics I like:

Many moons I have lived,

My body's weathered and worn

Ask yourself how old would you be

If you didn't know the day you were born

Try to love on your wife

And stay close to your friends

Toast each sundown with wine

Don't let the old man in.

We all have an expiration date. I just wanted to make sure I did not unnecessarily hasten my demise. Jesus said He came so we could have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) The verse just before that one reminds us the devil, the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I don’t want him to steal anything of mine that would keep me from Jesus’ abundant life.

Imagine if someone asked me “What do you want people to say about you 30 years from now?” I want the answer to be “Man he looks good for 100!” Don’t let the old man in.

By the way, that is a really good spiritual point: don’t let your old self in. You have been given a new spirit. Your old man is your flesh, your life before Jesus. Your new man is the born again, filled with His Spirit new man. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. Let’s work on not letting the old man back in! Good spiritual health is attainable too just like good physical health. Both require that we don’t let the old man in!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing.

Pastor Tom