You might have seen a story in the newspapers recently about a well-known Hollywood actress who was seen at an awards ceremony looking rather different from her last public appearance.

There was lots of discussion about whether or not she’d had ‘work’ done (a euphemism for anything from temporary treatments to a major facelift).

The phrase is also a criticism of women in the public eye who succumb to pressure to conform to an idealised standard of beauty, and thereby lose the individuality that made them stand out in the first place.

Of course, if she had posed for photographs looking tired and unkempt, she’d have been criticised for that too.

It made me wonder why at this point in our history we seem to be obsessed with looks rather than achievements and youth rather than experience.

I might have said a few years ago that this was a gender issue, and that different standards applied to men and women, but I’m not sure that’s true any longer. Young men in particular are feeling under pressure to be slim, dress stylishly and look attractive, and for some this can slip over into the start of eating disorders and high-level anxiety about self-image. That’s not good for anyone.

But aren’t there positive things to say about getting older?

In the Bible, it’s often the case that there’s an expectation that the young will be foolish, and that wisdom is something that’s learned through experience and reflection.

When Moses is described as being 120 years old when he died, it’s the fact that he passed his ‘spirit of wisdom’ on to his successor that’s noteworthy, rather than the fact that he’s a very old man indeed.

Contrast that with the story of the Prodigal Son, who ran off to spend his inheritance on fast living, until he was forced to return home wiser, sadder and a lot poorer.

To be young meant that experience had yet to be gained, and it was easy to make mistakes, whilst older men and women would have had time to learn from what they had seen and done.

In fact, when even Jesus began his ministry, his youth counted against him. Local people muttered that he was only the son of Joseph the carpenter; what would he know?

As a Christian, I find that I’m encouraged by references in the Bible to God’s wisdom. There are things that I am expected to learn myself, but there’s also the understanding that wisdom can be a gift from God too — if we are ready to receive it. And experience helps.

I might look in the mirror and notice a few wrinkles, but I can also get to the end of each day and ask myself what has been important; what I’ve learned from what has happened and from the people I’ve met.

I can’t do a lot about getting older — but I can pray to become a little bit wiser every day.

My grandmother used to say that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts, but what’s inside.

I think God believes that too. It’s great to be young, with energy and vision, but it’s wonderful to acknowledge what older generations have to teach us about life. Let’s stop worrying so much about appearances, and start giving credit to experience, understanding and wisdom.