Is Your Life Goal to Burn Out Or Rust Out

"And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

I often tell people that I plan to burn out and not rust out with respect to my serving the Lord and others. The American dream is work hard and then retire from work and focus on yourself. There is nothing inherently wrong with resting or pursuing your hobbies or checking off whatever you have written on your bucket list. 

I do think it is a mistake to imagine that you have no eternal value in your later years in life. I must say that I am frustrated a bit with the local church in that its activities are organized around age. Once you hit 50 you are about to crest the hill of being useful in the church. Sound exaggerated? Perhaps, but really not that far from the truth. Oh, people are respectful enough, but they can be patronizing as well.  

The challenge is for the older folks to not fold up their tents and call it a day. Do you know how old Abraham was when Issac was born? 100. Sara was 99. No, I am not suggesting that our goal should be to start another family when we get our first social security check. But I am suggesting that God can and will use people, no matter their age if they are willing to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

I just shared a story with a friend about something that happened while we were serving in Haiti. I was asked to build an orphanage and have it ready in a very short period of time. My response to the request was that God would have to provide - make a way for it to happen - if that was going to happen. One day, about three weeks before the date we had to be ready I was talking to a Haitian pastor at the work site. He asked when I would be done and I told him what my deadline was. He laughed and said, "Nothing happens quickly in Haiti." My response to him was "Pastor, if you remember, Sara laughed." He got my point. It is my same point to you. Don't limit God. Oh - the orphans walked through the gate on the day that had been set. I could not have orchestrated that - only God could.

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26

God never asks us to do anything that we can do on our own. And then He gets the glory, and we have a testimony to the world.

So don't hang up your spurs quite yet my friend. There is a lot more ridin' to be done. (Thought I would throw in a little Texas talk!)

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone