Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Approaching 50+

I never thought I would be here.  I bet you didn't either.  Well, I sort of knew I would get here but somehow I thought it would be different.  Luckily for me it is much better than I expected.  Approaching 50 is a very perplexing thing.  

We live in a society that worships youth and beauty and all things shiny and new.  We are constantly reminded that we are not thin enough, our teeth are not white enough, we need the latest iPhone and we have to drink the latest designer water.  WATER!!!!  Aren't there people in third world countries that don't even have safe drinking water and here we're trying to decide which bottle makes us feel better about ourselves.   God help us! 

Since we live in such a disposable society wouldn't it be natural that we feel the same way about who we are and our value as we approach our jubilee years?  What ever happened to celebrating where we've been and where we are now?  What about wisdom?  What about grace?  What about older women teaching the younger women?  WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING 50????

I've noticed a trend in the church in the last few years.  Progressive churches everywhere want young faces representing their ministries. They're promoting younger men and women into places of prominent and key positions in the church. That's generally fine but where are the matured, godly men and women who've "stayed the course", "run the race" and "mellowed like a fine wine"?  In our pursuit of appealing to the masses, maybe we've overlooked our best (and best kept) resource -- those men and women who are 50+.

If that sounds like you, then you're the one I am speaking to.  Have you felt passed by and overlooked?  Well, God wants you to know that He has not overlooked you.  His hand has molded you and shaped you.  You've walked through fires and you've looked to Him and taken his hand and walked with him and in that, you've created a place of worship.  Worship is your warfare!  You've created a pathway for others to follow in the Spirit.  Don't say in your heart that what has been accomplished through you is too little.  Everything counts. Everything counts!  It Counts -- It counts to God and if it counts to Him in Heaven, then it counts to Him on the earth.  Too many older christians have decided that they've done all there is to do  -- oh, so maybe we're the ones at fault?  Could be.  Have you decided that it's time to let someone else do something because you're tired of always doing it? 

What does the scripture say…something about "and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  What an awesome Word! That Word is to you and to me.  We are not to be defined by the world and it's systems but by a loving and powerful heavenly Father.  He sees your value and He has promised you a land of good things.  After all He does say 50 is our Jubilee!  God let Your favor come!

2 comments:

deej4fitness said...

SAY IT SISTAH!! What a wonderful truth! Thank you for sharing :)

Your 50 something sister testifying "it's never been better than this!!" No desire to "go back"! Wasn't all that fun the 1st time!! :)lol Wisdom and experience make for a good and fulfilling life with our permission :)

Bless ya! ~deej

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