Stepping Backwards

The doctor who operated on my knee five years ago. He’s younger than me. I think. But he’s achieved all he wants to do and given his position over to another. Retired! Yes. I just read this today. During the last 25 years of technological growth, his career happened at a pace where he says, “I never would have imagined it!” He is moving on to another stage of his life that he’s prepared for. Congrats, doc!

Why do we step backward and yet think of it as moving on?

This got my mind rolling around the thought of aging out and not seeing it before it’s too late. I’ve had this question bandied about in my mind as certain portions of my life unfolded over the past few months. I’ve written about it several times, and no one has questioned me, so it must not impact others…

It’s all in my mind? Perhaps.

Caleb said, “Give me this mountain!” at an age when we think he’s too old and more feeble than we would like (I’m thinking of current politics in a certain national race). It’s Moses reaching the end of his road at 120 and not allowed to enter the promised land even though he’s capable. Or Job, entering a second life with a new family when his first set of children are gone.

Must stepping backward mean that dreaded “R” word? No. We often connect the two because when you “R” you are stepping back and letting someone else step in. My word… So many steps! However, stepping back can mean slowing down so someone else can speed up.

One thought comes to mind about this.
When you yearn for the good ol’ days
more than looking forward to what’s around the bend,
this may be the time to step away and ride into the sunset!

Throughout my IT career, I reinvented myself several times. As the technology horizon changed, new skills were needed. So, I made myself ready for a change. It was a conscious decision. What must I do now to be ready for what is coming?

Is this time any different than the past 50 years? Perhaps. Can I adapt? I’m sure the answer is yes. Must I? That’s the true question.

Hmmm. Two biblical names come to mind. Enoch. Elijah. It seems God had permanent exit plans for them. Elisha was there for Elijah. (2 Kings 2) Who was there for Enoch? (Father of Methuselah, grandfather to Lamech, Great-grandfather to Noah.) (Genesis 5)

I have no Golden Parachute with my current assignment, but we’ve planned decently for this time. No Grecian Formula will help; I enjoy my white hair. We accept aging as a reality, but my true focus is not overstaying the welcome mat. The push and drive must be handed over to a younger person. Someone must be there with a hunger and vision to say, “God’s called. I answer. Here am I. What can I do?”

Let me say: “I enjoy the classic trucks of my birth decade more than the new ones dotting the landscape…” Is it time to step aside and move to the back of the stage? Maybe. Or maybe it’s time to reinvent the skill set. This may be my telling year. Can I do it?

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