YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD.
YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD!
Across the road from my office is this ongoing construction. I believe it is an office complex and it is MASSIVE. It is imposing. It looks like it will be a major landmark when it is completed. And, this project belongs to a seventy year old woman. Yes you are reading me right. A woman and she is in her seventies.
So let me just cut to the chase. We are not too old to start any project. For anyone in their forties or over, who is reading this, there is way so much that we can yet do. We are not too old to switch careers, we are not too old to pick up a new hobby, we are not too old to make that investment, we are not too old to have that much wanted baby, we are not too old to be in a good, strong, healthy relationship. Because with God all things are possible. And we are definitely never too old to strengthen our relationship with God, through Jesus.
In the scriptures, we are told about Moses who was eighty years old ( Exodus 7:7) when God called him to go and lead the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt. God did not think that he was too old to do the job. “Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” Exodus 3: 10-12 NLT
Moses was terrified and he told God so. But God assured Moses that He would be with him. Moses went on to be a great leader and he led the Israelites out of Egypt against the very formidable army of Pharaoh and his horsemen. All because God was with him. What is that dream you have had for years now? And you think you are too old to achieve? Invite God into the plan and let Him work with you to make that dream become a reality.
There was also the story of a (young) old man in the bible. His name was Caleb. When Caleb was eighty-five years old, he was as strong as he was when just forty. “Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.” Joshua 14:10-11 NLT Our age should not be a deterrent to our hopes and dreams. It was the Lord who kept Caleb alive and well. He can do the same for us if we ask Him to take charge of our lives and whatever situations we find ourselves.
And of course, there is the story of our patriarch and matriarch, Abraham and Sarah, who were way past child bearing. Yet God saw fit to enable Sarah conceive and bring forth a son. To God, our age is not a barrier to progress in any area of our lives. Therefore it will do us no good to keep citing old age as an excuse but rather take the bull by the horns, step up to the challenge and go for it.
Old age should never be seen as a curse. When God is with us, it is possible to still do great things. “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;” Psalms 92:13-14 KJV Praise is one thing that will get us into the courts of our God. And we are guaranteed to flourish in there, even in old age.
We will all grow old; that is certain. But it need not be something to be afraid of. Our fear should be of an old age without Jesus Christ. So let us embrace Jesus now.
A pianist, singer and tenor saxophonist, late Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, actually started his singing career much later in his life. And had his first recorded album in 2006. He was always known for playing the piano and the sax. He thereafter lived to be ninety-one and died in 2019.
Hold nothing back, dear friend, there is still so much in you to give to the world. Write that poem, design that edifice and build it.,sing those songs, learn to swim, learn to play tennis. Just do it!
YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©