“When I was young, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody’s help in any way.
But now these days are gone,
I’m not so self-assured.
Now I find, I’ve changed my mind.
And I’ve opened up the door.” help! – Beatles
It’s only now as 64 looms on the, not so distant, horizon that I look back and wonder as to The Beatles insightfulness when writing songs like ‘When I’m 64’ and ‘Help’ is surprising as they were young, living in an age of optimism and wildly successful.
When I was young I couldn’t imagine (no pun intended) that I would get older, let alone have any insight into what it might be like. I was also invincible; I could do anything I wanted to if I tried hard enough. I couldn’t imagine having need of help from anyone or being dependant on others.
However, as time ticks by I see things more clearly. I watch old people clinging to independence when they desperately need help. I look at handrails and pull up bars in bathrooms with the knowledge that I might need them one day.
But of course it’s not only the very old and frail that need help. Illness or injury can transform the strong and independent into the weak and needy. Life can change in an instant. No, it’s not only the “needy” that need help – we all do.
In the Bible God tells us that,
” cursed is the one who trusts man, who depends on flesh for his strength …. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” (Jer 17)
Success, strength and youth are all fleeting. Only with God is there hope, help and a lasting future.
