Want to live longer? Make attending church a part of your regular routine. A recent article by Carina Storrs with CNN (Philadelphia) reported that researchers examined data on nearly 75,000 middle-age female nurses in the United States as part of a study that looked at the influence of regular religious service attendance. The data revealed that among those who regularly attended services, the death rate dropped by 13% to 33%.
The Bible contains numerous promises to the believer that God will provide long life to those who hold to His statutes. If you are health conscious, work out regularly, and eat well, but have neglected your spirituality, here are a few Bible verses to motivate you to attend a church service next Sunday morning:
“If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (1 Kings 3:14)
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)
“Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.” (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)
It is no surprise or secret that our spirit matters. After all, as we age it becomes more apparent to us that the things we once thought mattered so much, particularly our appearance, becomes less important. In middle age our focus shifts from the ego to how we can contribute and what is important to us. Nothing makes me feel more purposeful than to use my talents as a writer to speak to other women who may be “crossing over,” that is finding acceptance and happiness in this new stage of life.
Being reminded that we are spiritual beings who occupy a body for a short time has a way of snapping us out of our introspection and driving us to contribute our knowledge, wisdom, and love to a world that so desperately needs it. We are just sojourners here for a short time. For me, the dream of being part of those baby boomers who want to finish this half of their life with excellence and erase that invisible media line motivates me to keep writing, keep learning, and keep practicing my digital publishing skills. One day, somebody’s going to want me. And we want you, too. Reign well.