I like to think of myself as approaching middle-age, even though the odds of my having as many years ahead as I have behind me are, well… not good.

When I was under twenty I thought anyone over thirty was middle-aged. In my thirties, middle-age had shifted to anyone over forty. This phenomenon has continued until now I realize that middle-age begins with whatever decade I have not yet reached.

Although the middle section appears to be flexible, we generally recognize three distinct stages of life; when one is either young, middle-aged or old.

Just as there are three developmental trimesters from conception to birth preparing a person for life outside the womb, we can see three trimesters of life in the world. We grow physically stronger during the first or youthful stage, more capable and productive during the middle years, and gradually more enfeebled in the last.

Looked at from a spiritual perspective, the Christian’s born again experience could be considered a spiritual conception when the soul begins its journey of preparation for eternal life in heaven. However, our spiritual growth stages do not exactly mirror our physical ones; instead there is a steady increase in our spiritual understanding during all three, and rather than declining in the latter trimester, our spiritual vigor increases exponentially with the addition of wisdom and increased reliance on God.

Although I’m reluctant to be classified as a woman past her prime, on the spiritual track I am happily middle-aged, praise God, and eagerly anticipating maturity.