“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” ~Satchel Paige

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” ~Victor Hugo?

“Everyone is the age of their heart.” ~Guatemalan Proverb

This week marks several important events in my life. First, I turn 50 on Friday. At one level my becoming eligible for an AARP card is only the turning of one more page. But at another it calls for much introspection. Should I be granted a full life, I have likely lived two-thirds of it. That brings a sober evaluation. Have I done as much for Christ as I could have? Have I wasted much of my life? Have I lived to the glory of God and for the sake of the gospel? I have sought to do so. But upon reflection I could do and be so much more for Him. So Friday will include a time to think–to give thanks for the goodness of God to me, and to ask for His grace to serve Him far more effectively in my latter days than in my former days.

So this week I thank God for life and breath, and the honor of serving Him.

But turning 50 hardly covers the events of this week. The most significant day for me is actually April 1, not April 3. You see, 14 years ago on that date I led our son Josh to Christ. Actually, Michelle and I did. She shared with him as he asked questions at bedtime that Saturday night in Houston, Texas. Josh came and crawled in my lap. I saw brokenness for sin, a godly sorrow that led to repentance. He turned to Christ and has continued to grow in grace from then until now. I cannot say in words how proud I am of him. The first person (not the last) Josh led to Christ was his sister Hannah years later. I enjoy ministry with my son as much as anything in this life. Being a husband and a dad gives me unparalleled joy.

So this week I thank God for family, and that they know and serve Jesus.

One more day this week bears mentioning. Fourteen years ago on March 31, the day before I led Josh to Christ, Paige Patterson called me. I had met Paige as a seminary student now 25 years ago. A group of us went to the Criswell College to meet with one who could help us sort out all that was going on in the conservative resurgence. He continued to be a mentor from afar for years even until now. I recall well the few times I received a personal letter in the years since, encouraging me in ministry, believing in me. Those letters meant much to me. But 14 years ago March 31 he called to invite me to teach at SEBTS. The change in my trajectory that brought will never be forgotten. God has blessed me so much to allow me to teach so many amazing students. Daily I am reminded of the goodness of God in this endeavor. I am grateful for Paige Patterson who took a chance on me as a young professor. He has been a hero for now half of my life. Oh, we do not always agree. He scratches his head at some of my thoughts on music, the future of the SBC, and other things. But we both have a great love for the Word, for the gospel, and for the nations. My gratitude to him is great.

So this week I thank God for mentors and for heroes.

Paul in Romans called himself a debtor. I am a debtor to those who believed in me when I was not sure of myself, to family who love me even though they know well my imperfections, and most of all, to the Most High God who has given me life in His name. I pray I will honor God and influence others to do the same.

I close this little article with an unusual source for a quote, comedian Jim Carrey: “50 years: here’s a time when you have to separate yourself from what other people expect of you, and do what you love. Because if you find yourself 50 years old and you aren’t doing what you love, then what’s the point?”

I am 50 this Friday, but I am already doing what I love. And I shall do that until Jesus calls me home.

About Alvin Reid

Hi and welcome! I am Alvin Reid, a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Michelle, father of Josh and Hannah, and minister of the gospel. I teach at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern College at Wake Forest in NC. I love people and have been blessed to meet a lot. I live to equip a generation of young men and women to change the world, to advance the great movement of God in our time.For the Christ follower, life is a mission trip-take it!