by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
As years pass we face the temptation to look behind us and
evaluate where we have been. This can be a good thing if we use our past as an
opportunity for learning and setting goals. What we shouldn’t do is let this lead
us to regret and feeling like we wasted too many years and chances for growth.
No matter what we left behind, our physical age doesn’t determine our usefulness in the kingdom of God.
Those who are planted
in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall
still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing (Psalm 92:13-14 NKJV).
Magazine covers flaunt celebrities and others in the public
eye who spend thousands of dollars each year on repeated nips, tucks, and
injections because they can’t stand the thought of looking old. Somehow they think if they change outside,
they are become younger. But inside they still feel old, because their mind
is on aging. The only thing they have to live for is their appearance.
Youthfulness can only come by being planted in the Lord
(Psalm 103:5). When our souls are healthy it will be transferred to our
physical being. Yes, our bodies will age until we receive a glorified one in heaven;
but we don’t have to let the aging process be in control by keeping us in
bondage to old thinking.
Moses, Caleb, and Abraham all accomplished great feats in
their advanced age. Simeon and Anna in their older years were blessed to
witness the Messiah when Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple. All these
saints saw fruit from their lives in later years. God doesn’t get finished with
us because we pass a certain number on the birthday chart.
God says we are blessed when we delight in his law and we will bring forth fruit and our leaf will not wither (Psalm 1:2-3). Staying focused on God and His Word will bring youth to our souls. Thinking about aging can actually age us.
While we do whatever we can to keep the outside looking
young, we need to remember that the inside is reflected to the outer person.
Seeing a wrinkle or gray hair isn’t fun for anybody, but if we see ourselves
the way God sees us, those things won’t be devastating to our emotions.
Here are 5 positive confessions based on Scripture to use
as we age.
1. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians
5:17). Our born-again spirit never ages. We are always new on the inside.
2. My youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalm 103:5). Eagles,
like other birds, lose feathers through molting. These are replaced with new
ones. This can demonstrate to us to leave the old things that plague us behind
and live in the new identity Christ gave us. We can fly high in the spirit when
we let our life be renewed.
3. The giftings God gave me don’t expire. (Romans 11:29).
Whatever spiritual gift God put inside us at the new birth stays with us until
we leave this earth. Even when we feel like we have failed, the Lord is always
there to remind us that we still have a calling to use for His glory.
4. I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Our brains may forget things and we can feel confused at times. The Holy Spirit
was given to us to remind us of Christ’s words (John 14:26).
5. I have a purpose that continues until I go to heaven
(Ephesians 2:10). Along with a specific assignment God has given us such as raising
a family, teaching, or a business platform, we are to impact the world around
us for His kingdom. Our influence never stops and when we live knowing we are
watched by our children, grandchildren, and younger generations we can know our
purpose on earth continues.
We are just starting out on our journey of life. No matter
what the calendar says about us now; in the light of eternity, we are all
babies.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
Thanks Barbara for the reminders and encouragement that as long as we’re alive we have purpose and can be used by God to advance His kingdom. Isaiah 46:4 tells us He is with us in our old age and gray hair.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Isaiah 46:4. This is another Scripture that shows us God continues to use us throughout our lives. Blessings!
DeleteHe gave us many examples in the Bible of older people accomplishing great feats. This gives us hope and reassurance that we have an assignment too. Thanks for sharing, Katherine. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara, such solid reminders. God has not changed with our age!
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful He doesn't! Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThank you, Barbara for this encouragement. As we age, we often feel irrelevant and invisible. I love how you said "our born-again spirit never ages. We are always new on the inside." That is a powerful and motivating statement to hold onto.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for those Scriptures that remind us of our usefulness at any age. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings!
DeleteThis is a wonderful reminder that God doesn't put us on a shelf as we get older. Thanks, Barbara!
ReplyDeleteYes, Debbie, I'm glad God makes a way for us to avoid living on the shelf! Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteAmen Barbara. Age doesn’t matter to God. I remember a construction mission trip to Honduras. An elderly woman wanted to go but she could not do the work, especially in the heat. She decided she could be our onsite prayer warrior and she was amazing. God can use anyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that amazing testimony, Yvonne. God never gives up on us. Blessings!
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