Judeo-Christian thought poses that life consists of phases common to all, male and female.

We start out in the Adam stage, the beginning, our years as an infant, which continues until we seek to marry and reproduce.

This phase includes learning to dress, to read and write, to do numbers, to dance, to play sports, to drive a car. For some, it includes attendance at a university and specialized training. While there are a variety of choices, we all live through this stage. It closes when we leave home and strike out on our own.

The second stage is called Gibbor, and it belongs to the young man and woman. It is the warrior stage. We all pass through our warrior years, where we know that we can do anything we put our minds to. I have a grandson who is a warrior. He is confident that one day he will be mayor of Philadelphia. I have another who is in the Army and fearlessly looks forward to getting involved in our country's defense. Danger is his stranger. Then, there is my granddaughter who moved to Nashville to pursue her career as a country-western singer.

Warriors all, nothing can stop them.

The next stage is called Enosh, which means wounded. This phase comes when we get around 40. It is the phase of life where we come to grips with reality; when we know that we will never be the person we thought we could be. We face disappointment and hurt. Our husband or wife leaves us. Loved ones die. We get fired or left behind, and can no longer do what once was easy. Our knees and back hurt, and we don't get up and down like we used to.

Scripture tells us that Seth, the son whom God gave Adam and Eve to replace Abel, fathered a boy named Enosh, "wounded," and in those days, men began to call upon the name of the Lord. We, too, begin to call upon the name of the Lord when we are wounded.

Life generally does not end in that phase. We pass into the Ish stage, where wisdom and maturity take over. The movie matinee no longer is only for old people; we now operate our car according to the law. We look for the crosswalk, leave a little early, build margins into our lives. Bedtime comes earlier. We no longer run, and walking is good exercise. We start thinking about retirement and begin to save. Our practical years are upon us.

The last stage is called the Zakew stage, the end of life, when people look up to you and seek your advice. Suddenly, people think that you are wise, a sage worthy to listen to, someone who knows much more than they.

Sages eat dinner early. They do not stay out all night. They are where they should be. They slow down and smell the roses. Life has value, and we do much to be sure we do not endanger ourselves.

These stages are common to all of us. It doesn't matter who we are. We can be rich or poor, educated, religious or not. Life consists of similar passages for all. Scripture tells us that there are times in life: a time to be born, to grow, to gather, to scatter, and so on. It tells us to remember our creator when we are young, before it is too late and we lose our vitality.

There is wisdom for all ages, for all stages in Scripture: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all else will be added to you." Those words are good for the youngster, great grandparent and all in between.

H. Murray Hohns of Makiki is an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035.