Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
I remember listening to a song when I was young during this time of the year; as the new year began to make it's entrance, it caused me to reflect on the year that was escaping me. There was a sense of sadness and apprehension. Its as if the older I got; somehow if I missed something I would never be able to regain it again. Was there a task or an event that somehow eluded me? Did I miss participating in something grand with no opportunity to recapture that moment? Call it a whisper that spoke; life is moving quickly and you can't stop it. You're getting older; life is changing all around you. Perhaps it was a sense of evaluation but it was intertwined with trepidation. Time is ticking, the clock is moving and the calendar page I flipped read a new year.
It was just yesterday, that I was 10 years old playing outside on the Bronx sidewalks; designing the concrete streets with my new found tool, soft, porous sedimentary rock-- o.k. chalk; riding bike and imagining that I was older as I played with dolls; opening fire hydrants (though it was illegal) and experiencing the joy of summer fun as we soaked in the sprinkles of city water. Adolescent, an unscripted time, never did I wonder about how quick life would unfold.
Ok, I know this may be sounding somewhat odd. Perhaps you are saying, "Liz, it's Christmas and New Years, what are you thinking"? Come with me for this ride.
As a christian and at the age of 51, let's settle something, I find life fascinating! It's a glimpse at my past with an exciting anticipation of what's yet to come. I'm expecting God to use me, aren't you?
The world preaches a chosen "look"; a world wrapped in a marketing campaign that promotes a certain "you" if you want to succeed; even implying you can only flourish and thrive if you fit this "mold".
Luke, chapter 2 unfolds the greatest story ever told. Did you read about Simeon? The Bible says that he was waiting for the consolation of Israel; revealed by the Holy Spirit, he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. How old was he? Simeon's life had a purpose. A promise given to him and he saw the fulfillment wrapped in flesh with his own eyes.
Did we quickly glance over Anna the prophetess, the eighty-four year old widow? I guess she could have complained and wondered why she had to have sorrow be her companion but instead she speaks of the redemption of Jerusalem; we also know that would be our redemption, Jesus Christ himself.
Let's go back a little further. Abraham, a one-hundred year old man. A promise that included an offspring. Hey, this man is old and his wife, well she's up in numbers too. Did you say offspring?
Forward, we see Zacharius and Elizabeth, John the Baptist parents, chosen by God in their latter years. An older couple with "no" possibility of having children, none-the-less the forerunner to the Messiah. God broke the mold.
I'm seeing a picture here; God is not constraint by anything. My Creator is able to complete and bring to fruition the purpose of each one of us regardless of age, gender, status, rich, poor, failure, success or anything else that the world would like to box us in.
The whispers of the world have no hold on us.
John, the writer of Revelation had walked with Jesus as a young man. Persecution was a known friend to him. God revealed incredible truths that we read in the Scriptures; a future when the Lord would return and take home his Bride. The world exiled him only to have him escorted into a glorious revelation of a friend that sticks closer than a brother; into a world where the natural eye does not see; a fertile ground for the Spirit of God to encourage and breath hope into the life of one of his own.
The older I get; every breath that God allows me to breath is another opportunity for me to see God a little more clearer. The steps of the righteous are ordered by God. That which He starts in us the Bible says he is going to complete.
I'm no longer a little girl anticipating getting older. I am in the center of God's will waiting for the Lord to continue writing my life. With his very blood he has purchased me and his purposes are unfolding.
Flip the calendar and I'll tell you what I see now; another opportunity to enjoy my God. I grow a little richer in the knowledge of his Word and every morning is an opportunity to experience something grand. When I was young, a little girl before I knew the Lord, my "life's journey" was what I could accomplished with my own strength and wit. As a surrendered, brought to life-believing child of God; I understand that life is an exciting expedition led by the Spirit of God. He causes life to come forth when the world would say it can't happen. He makes promises that he keeps. He's not concerned with my worldly status and actuality prefers to defy all "odds" for the glory of His Name! All my days are ordained and written in His book before I even one came to be (Psalm 139:16). It is a Happy New Year!
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
