No matter what our circumstances, our age, our health, our finances, the Lord can and will still use us to fulfil the plans He has for our lives
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We celebrate having “the youngest ever Prime Minister” (who, to be fair didn’t last long) and pay huge sums to young men and women in their late teens and twenties for developing a skill with a bag of wind on a muddy field. Young people whose careers are deemed over in their mid-thirties.
For those of us of a certain age and in my case older, we could be forgiven for thinking that we no longer have anything to offer, as age, health issues and simple physical deterioration take their toll.
Well, I’ve got news for you. The Kingdom doesn’t work that way. In God’s plan, age is valued. The biblical requirements to respect elders still stand:
“You shall stand up before the grey head and honour the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:32)
Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31)
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days (Job 12:12)
I received an e-mail some time ago from a dear, godly, lady, who joined our church in Tamworth when she and her husband retired from the mission field after, I believe 40 years serving among the tribes in Northern Thailand. Her name is Emma and despite all those years abroad and being married to a lovely man from the Kingdom of Fife, still speaks with a Geordie accent!
She has been a widow for many years now but, despite having serious health issues remains a staunch prayer warrior and brings the fragrance of Jesus to all who meet her. She writes:
“Hi Allan, your scripture works even now 2022. Last week I gave a large bag of beautiful Thai rice to a needy family down the road from me. Then had two visitors bringing me a big bag of Thai rice from wing yip and a beautiful punnet of strawberries. Week before gave away to the Romanians last two little cardigans I'd knitted and on Sunday June came with a huge bag of beautiful new baby wool double knitting. How good is our God same yesterday today and Forever. Bless you real good."
The email was in response to the daily scripture I had sent out:
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Emma must be in her late 80’s if not her 90’s now and could be forgiven for “taking it easy”. Not a bit of it. She still has the Lord’s work to do and people to bless and will do so until He calls her home.
Another ex-missionary friend of ours, Peter, served with his wife Thelma in Senegal for many years. Again, on retirement they joined our church in Tamworth where they were active in a number of areas. Peter continued to make himself available, as needed even after he became a widower and even as his health deteriorated. His many visits to hospital as an in patient in his later years were always seen by him as an opportunity to share the Gospel with staff and fellow patients. One love of his life was the translation of the Gospel into the tribal language of the area he worked in for many years a work which was completed just prior to his translation to glory.
I use these two lovely people as an example but you don’t have to be an ex-missionary to do the Lord’s work at any age. Whilst I was pondering this blog I read the following in the daily devotional “Every Day in His Presence” by Charles F. Stanley:
Your Full Potential
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5
Many people wonder, God, can You really use me? Can You really make something of my life?
Yes friend – He can! No matter how old (my underlining) or young you are, the father has wonderful plans for you and is -even at this moment-training you by His Spirit.
How can you know this for sure? Because in Christ, you are God’s beloved child. You have been given the spiritually miraculous opportunity to have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. And because of that – not your strengths, intelligence, or talents; rather your relationship with Him – He can work through you in astounding ways that will thrill your soul.
You may not understand why the Lord directs you on a certain path, but if you are willing to obey Him and learn His ways, you will gain insight into His heart. Then His Spirit will enable you to carry out all the good works He planned for you to accomplish even before you were born. (Daily Reflection 21/8/22)
I felt really encouraged by this. I don’t mind admitting that there have been times during the last few years when frustration at my mobility and health problems has made me doubt whether I still have anything to offer.
But then, the example of Emma and Peter and this word of encouragement has really blessed me. No matter what our circumstances, our age, our health, our finances, the Lord can and will still use us to fulfil the plans He has for our lives. Housebound? We can still pray: “the prayer of a righteous man has great power as it is working” Physically restricted? We can still offer support and encouragement and the benefit of experience. Lock down has opened up whole new areas of what we call “church” to those who find physical access challenging through “Zoom” and “Whypay” even the dreaded Social Media can have a positive part to play in allowing those who were previously excluded to participate more fully.
So, brothers and sisters of the “Grey Brigade” be encouraged and look for ways that you can continue to make a valuable contribution to the Lord’s people.
Keep on Keeping On
Author: Alan Cameron
May God bless and enrich your life
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