Monday, December 26, 2022

You Are Done When God Says Your Done

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4

I think that most people look forward to the day when they don't have to work anymore. They can sit back and enjoy the fruit of their labor. So long as their tree still has fruit on it and their health has held up so they are not bound to a walker or a bed or worse. There is a point where those with "grey hair" are put out to pasture having outlived their "usefulness". Our culture has assigned an age limit on how useful a person is. They are labeled "seniors", which is a euphemism for no longer relevant. Even the churches herd the seniors into rooms and groups of like kind as if they have nothing to offer the younger people or the world, for that matter. Many of the younger persuasion believe that understanding the latest technology is indicative of a person's level of wisdom and relevance. If you are thinking "that is not a true measure of relevance" - Good! Because it is not.

Martie came across Isaiah 46:4 in her treasure trove of notes and musings the other day and shared it with me in the context of what you must know about by now - our pending trip to Florida - not to retire but to assist in the disaster response.  We both will be 73 in 2023. 73! Why would God want to call us out of the seniors class to go to Florida? Maybe because He has not called us off of the field to sit on the bench - just yet. You either!

Martie came across some other verses that a friend shared some years ago in the context of how that friend and her husband were serving others when they were about our current age. I pluralized the verse :)

"Whom have [we] in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that [we] desire besides You. [Our] flesh and [our] heart[s] fail; But God is the strength of [our] heart[s] and [our] portion forever. But it is good for [us] to draw near to God; [we] have put [our] trust in the Lord God, That [we] may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:25,26,28

So what is my point? None of us are done serving until God says that we are done - not our culture. Don't be tempted to say no to God so you can say "yes" to an easier self-focused life. A friend commented about our serving. "Y’all’s life has been an example to us and many others of service to God whatever it takes." I told him that "Every Christian has a place and purpose in the Body of Christ.  Our job is to fulfill God’s purposes in that place.  Whatever that means, wherever that takes us, whenever it happens no matter where we are in life."

You may not have grey hair - but this applies to your life as well, both personally, and how you view other people - maybe your parents. (that was a shout out to our children) 

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

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