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The legend about the Fountain of Youth goes back thousands of years. In the 5th century B.C., Herodotus said Ethiopians had found it because they lived so long. The grim reality is that we grow old and die, and the book of Ecclesiastes urges us to get ready for it. In chapter 12, Solomon likens old age to a worn-out house. The old person living in the house is shaky, bent, half-blind, half-deaf, unable to sleep well, afraid of heights, fearful of imaginary terrors, has lost his zest for life and for sex. Finally, death overtakes him. He is like a broken bowl or shattered water jar. Life goes full circle. The human body that originally came from clay will return to clay, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Recognizing the inevitability of old age and death, Solomon urges us to remember our Creator before old age comes. He says it is wonderful to be young! We should enjoy every minute of it; but we must remember that we will give an account to God for everything we do. To remember our Creator means to revere God as the One who is the Author of life; it means to obey his word faithfully, and serve him responsibly. Since each person is destined to die and afterward to face judgment, it makes good sense to prepare for that appointment. We prepare by turning from sin and accepting God’s Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We then live each day to please Him.
