This is 40
I feel like I’ve been playing a part in someone else’s movie over the last 12 months, and the script was written to be overly dramatic as it moves from cancer to career crash followed by the climax of turning 40. That’s a lot of action to jam in one calendar year let alone squeeze under 2 hours in editing, but I bet Paul Rudd could make this story come alive with more wit and humor than the actual movie he starred in titled This is 40.
While the cherry on top of my birthday cake might look like it’s a bowling ball rolling over the hill of 40, it’s actually a pinball locked and loaded for another go. I’m envisioning the speed and burst of a pinball that gets catapulted into orbit, hitting unavoidable bumpers and poppers when in the field of play. Even though the ball moves uncontrollably over the board most of the time, the flippers quickly bat me back into action.
But I’ve learned by now that if I have my hands firmly on the buttons controlling the angled flippers, it’s inevitable that I’m going to misfire the timing and my ball will fall through. There’s nothing more painful than white-knuckling my way and swinging so hard that it causes me to whiff and fail miserably.
Thank God that He placed His hands over mine to take over the board. I’m actually trying to remove my hands altogether and just let Him fire at will, knowing that even if I get knocked around that the dings and pings actually have purpose and value. Not for the sake of running up the score mind you. What do points matter after all? I can’t take them with me when the game is over. But I do know from experience that each hit builds character, which in turn produces hope. And hope is the plug that keeps the power on to light up the board.
As I dance with a number of my mid-life metaphors, I’m also drawn to the consistency and relevance of the number 40 in scripture. As much as I’ve been aware of this reoccurring figure, I didn’t know until now that it is mentioned 146 times in the Bible. And most interestingly, it was consistently used in reference to an extended period of trial or testing.
Noah obeyed God’s instruction by building an insanely large ark before rain fell for 40 days and nights
Moses lived 40 years in Egypt and then wandered 40 years in the desert before Israel could enter the Promised Land
Moses also went up to Mt. Sinai for 40 days as he received and recorded God’s laws
Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting before beginning His 3-year ministry
There are a lot more references that could make this list much longer (and it may be worthy of a deeper study of its own someday), but there’s one embedded theme that personally stands out and resonates with me: preparation. God typically used a 40 day/year period as preparation for something better, bigger, or new.
I don’t believe that 40 is meant to be the peak of my career earnings, the time to get a swanky sports car, or the sweet spot to eat, drink, and be merry. Those are all fleeting and hollow, or “vanity of vanities” as Solomon would say. But I do think God is using this pivot at 40 to get my attention and draw me to something so much greater than the things our culture tells us to chase at halftime. And that’s just more of Him. And His script for my life. With His hands on the flippers. Is there anything greater or more meaningful?
One of my mentors wisely told me last month that God often calls us out to call us in. Might He be doing just that with you and me through our unexpected left turns? "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
Crown of life? Try to top that birthday gift.