Week 32: A midlife roadmap

Reflections on Psalms 50 and how our relationship with Jesus is our map through midlife.

How many of us remember how to navigate by a paper map? I can barely recall what it was like using a road atlas to navigate our family across the United States during a move, but I know we made it!

The mapping software on our phones is nothing short of amazing. I put in a destination and the map app gets me there, no matter how many wrong turns I take. If only we had the same app for midlife! I could put in my midlife destination--happy family, lots of grandkids, successful career, robust health--and day by day the app could tell me the shortest route to my dreams come true.

Sadly, the software doesn't exist, and I doubt it ever will. Instead, the road through midlife is long and full of unexpected blessings and unforeseen challenges. Often we round a corner to be met with a breathtaking vista. Other times, we have to slam on the brakes to avoid the roadblock ahead.

When the road is hard . . .

What should we do as believers when the road through midlife isn't straightforward or when we find ourselves staring across a chasm where a bridge is supposed to be? Psalm 50 gives us some great encouragement, but it also asks us to make an honest assessment of how well we are driving on the midlife road.

Psalm 50 opens with a courtroom scene where God sits as the righteous, supreme magistrate:

He summons the heavens above,

and the earth, that he may judge his people:

“Gather to me this consecrated people,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,

for he is a God of justice.

Psalm 50:4-6, NIV

Summoned before the court are two groups of people who consider themselves believers. First, in verses 7-15, are the tired, mind-numbed and heart-weary ones who are still going through the motions of worshiping God but no longer sense His presence. They faithfully offer their sacrifices, but don't really connect.

More tuning, less doing

Can you relate? I know I can, especially when the midlife road is long and hard and I'm too tired to put in the effort to meet heart-to-heart with God. But God is reminding us in these verses that whole-hearted worship is what keeps us alive to His love. It's less about doing worship and more about tuning our hearts to His.

He promises if we live lives of true worship and thanksgiving that He will rescue us when trouble comes:

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 50:14-15, NIV

A consistent walk is better than "Christian" talk

The second group of people God judges has an even deeper problem: they are hypocrites. They advocate for God's law while acting in ways that are contrary to God's holiness and applauding others who do the same:

“What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

You hate my instruction

and cast my words behind you.

When you see a thief, you join with him;

you throw in your lot with adulterers."

Psalm 50:16-18, NIV

As midlife believers, we too can find ourselves in situations where our words don't match our walk. We know the truth and encourage others with it, yet find ourselves compromising in the challenging areas of our lives. We claim to trust, but take matters into our own hands. We promise to follow God, but compromise our character by the distractions we choose to numb our disappointment. God reminds us in these verses to practice what we profess.

What's your midlife roadmap?

After the assessment is complete, God offers a choice:

Forget God, travel according to what you think is right, and leave God's protection and love.

or

He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;

And to him who orders his way aright

I shall show the salvation of God.

Psalm 50:23b, NASB

I am struck by the promise that if we order our lives properly, if we follow God's roadmap for our midlife journey, we will see salvation. This word salvation encompasses the ideas of liberty, deliverance, rescue, safety, and welfare, but not just that. Salvation, or yesha in Hebrew, forms the root of the name Jesus, which in Hebrew means God saves.

Jesus offers us salvation. And this alone is the answer to my mind-numb, heart-weary self on the days when I feel too tired to seek God authentically. When I order my life to put worship first, I will see Jesus all along the way, and finally, blissfully, when I reach my destination.

Daily Readings and Reflections:

Monday’s Reading: Psalm 50

In what ways might your daily routines reflect "going through the motions" in your faith? How can you reorder your steps to reflect true worship in your everyday life?

Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 112

In what areas of your life do fears or uncertainties shake your confidence? How can the fear of the Lord help you maintain firm steps and guide you through challenges?

Wednesday’s Reading: Proverbs 16:1-9

In what ways do pride or self-reliance disrupt the ordering of your daily life? What steps can you take to commit your ways to the Lord and please Him daily?

Thursday’s Reading:  Romans 12:1-3

What is one area of your life where you could daily offer your body as a living sacrifice? How does renewing your mind help you to better discern God's will and direction in midlife?

Friday’s Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

Reflect on the contrast between self-effort leading to disobedience and God's grace leading to good works. How does the gift of grace help you to order your steps in a way that glorifies God?

Weekend Reading:  Psalm 119:41-48

Reflect on a commandment or Biblical precept you find personally challenging to follow. How might connecting with God's steadfast love help you to order your steps with whole-hearted devotion?

Want to read more Bible verses about knowing Jesus Christ as Savior? Here's a good place to start:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html