Too Old?

Good Morning,

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Now I am old and what was my future is now my present, and even, perhaps, my past. The days, weeks, months, and years of my life have gone by and seem to be passing now even more quickly than ever. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still for any of us and what once was all in front of me has now gone by.

So, does this verse of Scripture we read today still stand as truth for those of us who have lived long and are not young any more? Does this verse speak to ALL of us? Even those of us who have only a few more years (or less) to live out this life we've been given?

I ask, "Lord, WHAT plans do you have for me now that my future is now? And, how will I prosper now that I am no longer in the work force and out in those places where that might happen? Will I, Lord, be kept from harm now that my body is frail and harm seems to come from almost everywhere?"

The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!" from God to these questions that I've posed today. How long we've been alive on this planet has nothing at all to do with the promises of God. The questions, I think, come from the enemy to place seeds of doubt on what God can...AND WILL!...do in our lives, no matter the number of years we have been here, or might have left. The enemy wants those of us who are more mature (being politically correct here!) to think that our usefulness has past and that God will not use us; has no plans for us; will not prosper us; and will allow us to come to harm. LIES! LIES! LIES! Never forget that the enemy is the master of lies and the supreme liar of all time.

Who we are and how old we are has nothing to do with believing what God has told us in this short verse of Scripture. He DOES have plans for every one of us no matter who, what, where, or our when in life. He DOES want to prosper us (let's not misunderstand "prosper" here, ok?). And He WILL protect us from harm in so many, many ways.

Let's close our ears, those of us who have lived long to this point, to the lies that might come from many places about us being "too old" to be useful any more. Let us not listen to those who might tell us to just relax and not try to "do too much" because we're just not that competent any more.

God can and will use every one of us to accomplish His purposes, in His ways, and most importantly, in His time.

(A little P. S. here for the younger ones who might read these words. Don't, please, put "out to pasture" the older ones in your congregations. Learn from them. Let them show you so very much that they've gone through. Be kind and gentle and, who knows, maybe God will show YOU how to help that "senior citizen" see God's plans for him or her and how God will prosper them and keep them from harm. YOU, young people, can truly be God's implements in this. Just look and see. Oh, most importantly? Obey!)

Love, peace, and blessings,

David