Our Age Doesn’t Determine Our Usefulness in the Kingdom of God

 

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.

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Whenever we look at ourselves and feel old, we can remember God’s promise that we will flourish, bear fruit, and be fresh. Age doesn’t determine our usefulness in His kingdom  (click to share on X)