Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens.

"Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement." These profound words of Dwight L. Moody strike at the very heart of one of the most overlooked aspects of life—the preparation for old age. Moody, in his wisdom, reveals a universal truth: that old age is not a period that can simply be filled with newfound purpose once the demands of work and career are set aside. Instead, purpose must be cultivated throughout life, starting in the youthful years when the mind is most malleable and the body most energetic. The essence of this teaching is that purpose is the thread that should weave through a lifetime, and if it is absent until later years, it will be far harder to find fulfillment once the prime of life has passed.

In the youthful stages of life, we are often filled with dreams, ambitions, and a desire to conquer the world. However, few of us are taught the importance of purposeful living from the start. We are encouraged to chase fleeting passions and pleasures, to prepare for careers, but not necessarily for the deeper meaning that sustains us as we age. It is easy, in the vibrancy of youth, to live for the moment and think that purpose can be postponed, that we will find it later in life. Yet, as Moody warns, the empty life of a young person—who does not seek purpose or cultivate a meaningful path—will struggle to suddenly create that purpose in the years that follow. Old age is not the time to begin anew, but rather a time to reflect and build upon what has been sown earlier in life.

Think of the great philosopher Socrates, whose early years were spent in the pursuit of knowledge, honing his intellectual and ethical purpose. By the time he reached old age, Socrates was deeply immersed in a life of profound meaning, dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom and the questioning of truth. His life was not one of empty living, nor did he try to fill his later years with something that had not been nurtured in his earlier days. In his later years, he faced death not with fear, but with the quiet confidence of a man who had long ago found his purpose. The strength of his integrity and commitment to wisdom carried him through the trials of age. Socrates' life reminds us that purpose must be cultivated from an early age, for in the end, it is what sustains us through the trials of old age.

In contrast, we need only look to the life of many modern figures who approach retirement only to feel a sense of emptiness or loss. It is not uncommon for people to reach the age of retirement, with their careers winding down, and then face a deep sense of lack. Having lived lives focused primarily on achievement or material success, many find themselves disconnected from a deeper sense of purpose. Retirement, that time when we are supposed to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor, can feel hollow when there is nothing meaningful to fill the space. For these individuals, the empty years of their youth and middle age leave them unprepared to navigate the quieter, more reflective years of old age. This disconnect is the very problem Moody warns against—without purpose built over time, the later years become an attempt to catch up with what should have been nurtured throughout life.

The core of Moody's message is that we must live with purpose from the start. Purpose is not something that arrives later in life like an unexpected gift, but something that requires intentional effort, discipline, and focus over time. Youth is the time to plant the seeds of purpose, whether it is in the form of pursuing education, developing relationships, or seeking spiritual growth. By nurturing this sense of meaning early on, we begin a life that naturally progresses into a fulfilling old age. The choices we make in our youth regarding how we spend our time, how we treat others, and what we dedicate our energy to will shape the life we lead in later years. The foundation for a life of purpose must be laid in the early years, and it will carry us through the challenges and transitions that come as we age.

Consider the example of Benjamin Franklin, who, from a young age, embraced a life of purposeful living. His curiosity, his dedication to self-improvement, and his commitment to service shaped every stage of his life. As he grew older, Franklin’s purpose did not diminish; rather, it expanded, taking on new dimensions as he served as a diplomat, statesman, and inventor. Franklin's mature years were filled with meaning because he had lived with purpose from the start. Even in his later years, he was a man of action, his life a testament to the fact that purpose, once cultivated, grows more expansive with age. Franklin's life teaches us that true purpose is not fleeting, but evolves with us through the stages of life, ensuring that even in old age, we remain engaged and fulfilled.

The practical lesson for us is clear. We must not wait for old age to discover meaning; instead, we must build it throughout our lives. The choices we make early on—whether they involve our work, our relationships, or our personal growth—form the foundation of our later years. The lessons we learn from experience, the ways we serve others, and the ways we develop our minds and hearts will sustain us as we age. Old age is not a time to suddenly find purpose, but to reap the rewards of the purpose we have cultivated throughout our lives. Let us take this truth to heart and live with intention, for it is not the years we live that matter, but the purpose we live by that will give our lives meaning and fulfillment.