Used of God

In a small eastern community, a man named MacDonald was a one-man taxi service.  People quickly learned that all they had to do was to call him and he would get them to their destination on time.  Despite traffic jams, he knew the back roads, and no matter how late your plane was to arrive, Mr. MacDonald was there waiting for you.  He boasted that he had never had an automobile accident.  McDonald noticed his vision and reflexes were getting bad, so he decided to give up driving.  “I don’t want to be a menace to anyone”, he said.  And then he dropped out of sight.  No one saw him for quite some time.

One day a lady from that community had an appointment.  She couldn’t find a place to park on the street, so she had to park in the community parking ramp.  She didn’t like the thought of the ramp because it was known for “fender benders.” but she had no choice.  When she entered the ramp, she noticed that things were different than they were the last time she was in town – they were orderly.  She soon discovered why.  Mr. MacDonald was there directing each driver into a suitable space. Leaders of the community recognized that MacDonald’s safe driving experience could help them, so they asked him to take care of the parking ramp.  He was happy to do so, and they were happy that he agreed to help.  No one minded waiting in line because they knew they would be well cared for.  Thanks to MacDonald, the lady learned a valuable lesson.  God can always find use for a person’s talents if they are open to new directions.

Some people think that because they are not perfect, they might as well step aside and let others who are more qualified handle tasks.  However, one of the great mysteries of Christianity is that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His will.  Notice the service factor from the following verses.

1)    Example.  Jesus set the example of service.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

2)    Age.  There is no age requirement on a person’s usability.  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

3)    Use.  God wants us to serve.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:10).

4)    Intensity.  Our service should be characterized by total commitment.  “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
” (Romans 12:11).

What is it that you can do for the Lord?  It may be that God has an activity for you to do of which you had not previously thought.  Where are you when it comes to the service factor?  I trust that you will be open to being used of God – even as you grow older.

Being Used of God - At Any Age

As you read the Bible you will find several people who are advanced in age.  It is interesting that these people were willing – and even eager – to keep working for the Lord or to take on new tasks for Christ and His Kingdom.  One of those individuals was Caleb, who along with Joshua, after wandering with the Children of Israel in the wilderness, were sent into Canaan (the Promised Land) to spy out the land.  To show the abundance of the land the spies came back with abundant, delicious produce. However, despite the great produce ten of the twelve spies gave a negative report focusing on the giants and fortified cities.  Their counsel was that Israel should stay put and not advance into that territory. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb gave an optimistic report and encouraged advancement into the land.  They admitted that the giants and fortified cities were obstacles, but with God’s miraculous power these obstacles could be overcome.

After Israel moved into the land Caleb made these comments. “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:10-12).

 

Notice several important characteristics of this 85-year-old man of God.

 

1)      God was in control of his life and was not finished with him – “he has kept me alive.”

2)      He believed that he was able to take on the task – “So here I am today … strong … vigorous.”

3)      He was willing to accept a difficult job – “To go out to battle … Now give me this hill country.”

4)      He trusted in the Lord and his help – “the LORD helping me.”

5)      He expected great results – “I will drive them out.”  All this at 85 years of age!

 

Lessons from this text for all of us – even for those who are advanced in years.

 

·         God is in control of our lives and is not finished with us.

·         God has a task that He wants to accomplish through us.

·         We need to be willing to take on the task that God has given us and believe that He will provide help and support.

·         We can expect results in our work that will exalt the Lord and bring honor and glory to Him.

 

As an adult, are you ready to let God use you?  What task are you ready to take on for Christ and His Kingdom?

Retirement and Beyond

Although a person can retire from a work-position at any age, the Bible doesn’t encourage those who are Christians to stop serving God when they retire or reach a certain age.  The Bible tells us that Joshua was well advanced in years and yet the Lord said to him, “You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over” (Joshua 13:1).  There was still work for him to do even though he was probably between the ages of 85-100.  Having a rocking-chair mentality and sitting outside his tent was not the attitude to have nor the place to spend his time.  There was work to do and he was to continue to serve. The instruction in the New Testament that Peter gives is that, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (I Peter 4:10).  Did you notice that there is no mention of age?  In other words there is no time at which God-given gifts should cease to be utilized.  Service should be rendered to God at every age.

Throughout life we should be learning, growing and maturing and be ready to share the truths of God’s Word with kids, grandkids, and others, whether early in life, or later.  In elderly years our prayer should be similar to that of the psalmist who said, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:18).

A few questions might be appropriate.  You have been learning, growing and maturing – so, are you ready to share your wisdom with others?  Are you sharing the lessons you have leaned with individuals from the younger generation?  If you are retired, what have you learned about God’s power that you can continue to share with your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren?

Doing Things Well - Even in Old Age

As some people slide into old age it seems easier for them to focus on

the things they can no longer do.  At one time they could see well and hear well; but that is not the case anymore.  They used to be able to run and jump and had lots of energy.  But that ability has declined and energy levels are not what they used to be.  They see younger men, women and children doing extraordinary things and that makes them feel useless and unappreciated.  In fact, the elderly may begin to think they can do nothing as good as they used to do in the past.

Listen to this commentary from the Bible about those who are elderly.  “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  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, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Psalm 92:12-15).

This scripture tells us that the elderly can do some things as well or even better than they used to do when they were younger.  To flourish, grow, and bear fruit is something that can be done in greater measure in old age.  I also believe that seniors can love and pray and smile and encourage others.  They can proclaim to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the wonderful news that a personal relationship with God is foundational.  The lesson God wants us to learn is that He can use all of us – even those in old age – to flourish, grow, and bear fruit as we love, pray, smile and encourage others.  The challenge is to allow God use us at whatever stage of life we find ourselves.