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“Most Zambians won’t live to see their 40th birthday” was the rather arresting quote that caught my eye in a recent well-known human rights campaigning magazine. BRAD PITT did it nearly 3 years ago. It happened for TOM CRUISE in 2002. Now, as more A-listers like HALLE BERRY and MATTHEW FOX turn the big 4-0, they make the milestone work in their favor!

“I think 40 is not just the new 30, it’s the new 20,” said the People magazine senior editor. “We’ve got this crop of stars that actually look better today than they did when they were in their prime and really it’s sending a message that, ‘Hey, at 40 you can not only be a star but be a sex symbol!’”

Espinoza says many like Halle Berry, whose 40th birthday was in August, aren’t affected by the stigma the age once had. “She’s just someone who radiates being comfortable in her own skin. All those hang-ups she had earlier about her body and what she looks like, she doesn’t have those anymore. She says just be comfortable in what you wear and that’s the best beauty advice she has.”

“Look at someone like CINDY CRAWFORD, who was the supermodel in the early ’90s — she’s still a top model today,” Espinoza says. “She’s always lived a very healthy lifestyle. She exercises regularly and eats well and she’s got two young kids who keep her running around.”
Espinoza feels this trend is here to stay. “I think these stars are really embracing turning 40 because 40 isn’t what it used to be,” she says. “These stars are more successful than they’ve ever been and they look better than they ever have.”

In the Bible 40 is the numerical value given to anything considered “a great many” thus 40 days and 40 nights of rain flooded the world, the Israelites wandered aimlessly for 40 years before they found the promised land and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before his crucifixion – yet in western culture there is a much vaunted saying: “Life begins at 40”. Whichever way you look at it, 40 is a pivotal age.

So this past week I too turned 40 and I was ushered into the club with welcoming arms by many of my older friends. Although I’ve only been a card carrying member for a few days, this club has a different feel to it. At 40, something magical happens to you–something liberating and rejuvenating and exhilarating. You acquire a healthy disregard for what other people think. You gain the confidence to define yourself boldly and on your own terms. You don’t accept anyone else’s judgments but your Creator’s. In short, you stop living your life to please man and start living for a cause bigger than yourself.

So as those closest to me gathered at our home yesterday to celebrate, I had one of those God moments. It occurred as I was placed in front of my favorite cakes of all time – Wrights Gourmet Chocolate – Chocolate Cake. The 40 lit candles put off a healthy glow. As I was sung to, I felt the tears well up in my eyes…it was a surreal moment. Thank you God for showing me your love through those that love me.

Forty may just be half time for some of us. Any competitor will tell you that it’s not how your start, but how you finish. Thank you God that you have given me a 2nd half to play. Our life here on earth is just a vapor compared to the eternity that we will spend with you in Heaven.