JOIN THE COMPANY OF "SALS"

I don't remember how it started, but for the past few years I have been signing “Sal” along with my signature when I write to certain close friends in my age category. 

I refer to myself as “God's SALmon still swimming upstream in life," only somewhat more slowly due to chronological factors. The main factor being my approach to the age of 90 this year. (I know--it seems incredible to me--but it's true!)

More than a few friends have acknowledged that I have encouraged them to feel the same way as they advance in calendar years. Life also seems to be an increasing uphill, upstream struggle to them. Being a "Sal" fosters a better attitude, however, than viewing life negatively as a downhill slide as one ages. Such friends have picked up the habit of calling themselves "Sal" too. Welcome to the Club! One friend calls himself a "Wild SALmon."

Another commented, "Hipster salmon swim upstream because swimming downstream is too mainstream." Isn't that a great slogan for us who continue to swim upstream to our Finish Line with the help of God who enables us to courageously persevere regardless of the changes and adversities we encounter in our later years?

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE SALMON ANALOGY

An Alaskan salmon has a most interesting life. One that will take it from the rivers and streams of Alaska's wild frontier an incredibly long distance to the high seas of the Pacific Ocean—and back again. In fact, right back to the very place it was born. It finds its way from the immensity of the ocean by its amazing created instinct from God. A salmon actually swims from fresh water to salt water and back again!

Hatched from small eggs in a stream bed, salmon journey downstream towards the ocean. The trip takes a couple of years. After that, they head out to the salty ocean for up to four more years. They swim and feed more than 2000 miles throughout the northern Pacific Ocean. Their journey is hazardous at every point because they are constantly hunted by seals, whales, and fishermen.

When fully mature, an adult salmon will swim back to its original stream or river re-adapting to fresh water. Downstream was relatively easy, but returning upstream is dangerous and requires great strength and risk. It swims against the strong current through rugged rivers to leap up miles of rapids and rocky waterfalls, traversing fish ladders, avoiding nets and hooks of fishermen, and trying to stay clear of fierce and hungry bears.  

Those that survive and finally reach their natal stream breed and lay their eggs. Their life cycle is complete. After spawning they generally die within a week or two, fertilizing the stream and creating a nutrient-rich environment for the new infant salmon that are about to hatch. 

AN ANALOGY TO US AS HUMAN AGING "SALS"

Like the salmon, we too have been on a long adventurous life journey of many decades and various geographical scenarios and under challenging conditions, both physical and spiritual.

We have overcome or passed obstacles and hazards and adversities or we've accepted and managed them with the help and strength of our loving God. We hope we have matured in wisdom while we have been weathered by the different seasons of life and shifting circumstances.

At times we might have felt that the change from life's fresh waters to salty waters was impossible to endure. But God helps us "Sals" to adapt. We experience "times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord" with abundant fresh water blessings. 

Violent bear and whale attacks, both material and spiritual, have been frequent in most of our lives. The hooks of the enemy have often come too close. The battles may have been fierce but were not terminal. Some wounds and scars may remain. It seems that we've often had to swim against the current of changing relationships and devastating losses. At times we've struggled through deep emotional waters and stormy seas. 

The distances to accomplish the goals of our lives which we've felt the Lord gave us often seemed daunting. Sometimes we've lost our direction in the vast ocean of life. Time and again God has helped us readjust our compasses to align with His will and sent us on our way once more toward the destination He planned.

Yes, like the salmon, at times we've been exhausted, worn and weary by the length of life's arduous journey. We might have been tempted to stay in the perceived safety and shelter of the familiar ocean and drift with the tide to some easier, closer destination. Swimming upstream and leaping rapids seems just too difficult at our age anymore. That's meant for the young. We've been there and done that.

Nevertheless, the vision and destiny which God planted in our hearts from our youth, like the inborn instinct of the tiny salmon hatchlings, impels us to first head downstream into the thick of ocean life in our prime years, and then in maturity to struggle upstream again. “I press on [keep leaping upstream] in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. And I press on [keep leaping upstream] toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (See Philippians 4:12-14).

Let us who would attain to a "Sal" life take courage in the companionship and support of others who are on the same journey. As long as God generously provides His life and breath and strength and opportunities for us, let us keep leaping the rapids of life. 

In these days of our advanced maturity let us be faithful wherever and however and whenever we can to reproduce Christ in others.

That is our "Sal" calling. And God's calling has no expiration date. It is for a lifetime and Beyond, just as there is no end to God's faithfulness to us from here to Eternity. There is no retirement program if our focus is to do the will of God “on earth as it is in heaven.” It's a joyous upstream adventure all the way!

By signing “Sal” with our signature we remind ourselves and others of the Lord's continuous upward call on our lives without respect to our chronological age.

Enrollment is open--come join the rest of us "Sals!"