Forget About Age!

             Almost three years ago, I began writing this blog.  I was newly retired and searching for a new purpose in my life.  My struggle was that I had “no structure, no daily schedule, and seemingly no purpose in my life.  While that may sound like heaven, I believe that Christians never retire.  God just repurposes them.”

            Since then, my view of retirement hasn’t changed.  If anything, I’ve become more convinced that God has a purpose for each of us, no matter, or perhaps, despite our age.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God prepared good works in advance for each of us to do, and I pray that I pursue those good works daily.  I believe that by writing and teaching, I am attempting to carry out some of those good works that God prepared for me, and I’ve found renewed purpose.

            God didn’t put me here to twiddle my thumbs.  I believe that He expects each of us to try to make a difference right where we are.  I also believe that He will provide just what we need to accomplish the works He has prepared for us to do, and that He expects us to continue those efforts until the day we die.  Our age is immaterial.  Abraham became the father of the Israelite nation at the age of 100, and his wife, Sarah, was 90 (Genesis 17: 15 – 17).  Moses led his people out of Egypt at the young age of 80, assisted by his brother, Aaron, who was only 83 (Exodus 7:7).

            Then, there was Caleb, one of the spies who checked out the Promised Land.  While 10 of the spies reported that it was impossible to conquer the land, only Caleb and Joshua trusted God and urged the people to move forward, even though they saw giants living there (Numbers 13: 26 – 34). The Israelites’ fear caused them to wander in the desert for 40 years, but God promised Caleb that he would one day receive the land that he had set foot on (Deuteronomy 1: 34 – 36).

            Years later, as the Israelites prepared to divide the land among the various tribes, Caleb stepped forward and said, “So, here I am today, eighty-five years old! …Now, give me the hill country that the Lord promised me that day” (Joshua 14: 10 – 12 NIV84).  Caleb didn’t care that there were giants in the land or that it was heavily fortified, or that he was “as old as dirt.”  He trusted God and still desired to fulfill the task that God had given Him some 40 years earlier.

            I don’t know what “works” God has prepared for you, but you can be sure that He has some.  He will fight the giants.  You only need to be willing and available.  Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and I think you’ll find that God still has work for you.  It doesn’t matter if you are 80, 85, 90, or even 100.  Are you ready to join Caleb and step into the “hill country that the Lord has promised you?”

Ephesians 2: 10

Genesis 17: 15 – 17

Exodus 7: 7

Numbers 13: 30 – 33; Deuteronomy 1: 34 – 36; Joshua 14: 6 - 15

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