Age and value

Rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:11).

When does something become too old?  At what point do you discard or replace something due to its age?  When is it time to just say ‘goodbye’?

Old technology doesn’t have much value.  An aging computer cannot run the newest software, and modern operating systems often cannot run old programs.  When a car gets old, it’s hard to locate replacement parts.  Old clothes are out of fashion, look worn, and tear easily.  Old houses are not energy efficient, and have settled to the point where everything is out of square.  Old food and old medicines become dangerous to ingest.  Old appliances like toasters and microwave ovens are cheaper to replace than to repair.  Old trees are brittle; wind and snow often bring down branches on roofs, cars and power lines.  In many situations, old things simply ought to go.

But some things are not easily replaced, despite their age.  An old pet might be troublesome to keep healthy, but putting that animal to sleep is still unthinkable.  Old photos can fade and discolor with age, but you would never part with those snapshots of happy memories.  You might have seen the same old movie a dozen times, but there is still that favorite scene which puts a lump in your throat and makes your heart beat a little faster.  We are the sum of our memories, and everything that gets thrown away takes a little bit of our own history along with it.  As the years slip away, reminders of the past grow increasingly precious to us.  Some things just should not be discarded.

Relationships should definitely not be discarded.  More than anything else, relationships define who we are.  Our relationship with God gives our lives value and purpose and moral direction. Our relationships with family and friends give us a place to live that is emotionally safe and nurturing.  Relationships are where we experience love.  Jesus makes relationships positive and strong through forgiveness—His forgiveness of our wrongdoing, and His gentle leadership when we need to forgive each other.  I know there are times when it seems as if an old relationship is just not salvageable and it would be much easier to simply walk away.  But Jesus was crucified to repair every relationship damaged by our sinful conduct; with His help, no broken relationship is beyond hope of a wonderful reconciliation.