Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:61-62

Earlier this week I ran into a young man I haven’t seen in a couple of decades. He quickly reminded me of something I used to say to him often and then went on to tell me a bit about his life. Later he sent a text saying, “God has been so good to me.” It was an encouraging encounter and I’m glad we connected and even more happy that he and his wife have a relationship with God.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve started through a book recommendation for those of us in what the author, Christopher Ash, calls, “The Afternoon of Life” in his book, Not Old, Not Young, Not Done.

What is the afternoon of life? He gives some indicators –

• Children have left or are leaving home.
• Caring for aging parents.
• Easing of money worries
• Familiarity with our jobs
• Good health
• More time

It’s just a general list, because we all have different stages and concerns, but which of those stages fit in your life? I like to think that the Afternoon of Life is somewhere around three o’clock well before the arrival of darkness, but I am fully aware that evening is coming – especially this time of the year.

I am reminded again of a conversation with a man ten years my senior many years ago. He was in his sixties when he told me. he wanted to avoid becoming a curmudgeon and he wanted nothing more than to finish well.

It always seems that we are facing a fork in the road where decisions are to be made, no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in. The key idea in Jesus’ statement above is to keep looking ahead and stay focused on the task at hand, Until we cross the finish line, we are “Not Done.”

What does “not done” look like for you?