I’ve spoken to and listened to a lot of younger people in their 20’s who are stressed because they feel that if that don’t “make it” in what they are doing or dreaming of by the time they are 30 it is all over and they won’t do anything of significance after that. Which to be honest is a little crazy as you have so much life to live. As I tell my kids, your 20’s are for exploring, growing and learning. You don’t have to have it all figured out and you definitely don’t have to have “made it”.
Each age seems to have a mindset attached to it and as I listen I’m hearing the message that in life you had better hurry up to make it. Or if you don’t then it’s too late, too hard, or time to wind down. There is also the expectation that eventually you are going to fade out! Fade out as in you’ve probably done a few things, had a family or career or both, travelled, had some adventures and now it’s time to sit back and wait out your latter years until you fade away.
The problem is I don’t think I ever really want to just fade out – in that I no longer have any dreams that inspire me to get up, keep going and to breakthrough new frontiers. And I don’t think that’s how God thinks either.
I want to be like Caleb in the bible who was one of the chief spies sent out by Moses. He was bold and persevered when the other spies became fearful and discouraged. He was courageous against giants, completely devoted to God and ready and able to lead and go into battle at the age of 80.
God rewarded Caleb and it is recorded six times that “He fully followed the Lord”. In his latter years he was still a mighty warrior taking new territory and claiming his promised land. Caleb didn’t fade out!
“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” (Numbers 14:24)
Or the elderly lady who on being placed in full time care in a nursing home wondered what she could now do to have purpose in her day and share her faith and love for Jesus. The idea came to her that she could work through every name in the telephone directory and call them up to talk to them and to share her faith with any that would listen. She led many to know Jesus. She refused to fade out!
Whatever season of life we are in God has a plan for us. He promises he will perfect all that concerns us and that his plans for us will not be thwarted. (Psalm 138:8)
“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)
“For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)
God’s plan is that we will be fruitful in every season of life. That no matter how big we dream He would do exceedingly more (Ephesians 3:20). That even in our latter years we will bear fruit. That we wouldn’t just fade out, wither up and dry out. Instead when we “delight is in the law of the Lord, (His Word) and meditate on his law day and night we would be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever we do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” (Psalm 92:12-14)
Determine today to live to the fullest in every season of life. Regardless of whether we’re in our youth, middle or latter years we all have a purpose and destiny to live out, but to do that we definitely can’t be thinking we are going to fade out!
Keep running your race. If you need fresh vision I encourage you to spend some time dreaming and asking God what He has for you. See https://daylekinney.com/2019/01/07/7-jan-i-have-a-dream/ if you need some extra encouragement.
Prayer: Lord thank you that you give me purpose and strength to run my race well every day. That I too can be like Caleb and be known as someone who has a different spirit and follows you wholeheartedly, being fruitful in every season of my life. I can do all things because you give me strength. In Jesus name Amen.
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