Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days
Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling series of books began with "Little House in the Big Woods," which chronicled her pioneering childhood in the late 1800s. The books were so well-loved that NBC adapted one into a pilot and a TV series (Little House on the Prairie) that aired from 1974 to 1982. However, Wilder didn't publish her first book until she was 64. Renaissance man Benjamin Franklin is known for many things, including founding the first public library in the U.S. at age 25 and establishing the first official fire department at 29. But he's also known for a much later achievement, signing the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Franklin didn't put his John Hancock on that historic document until he was 70, making him the oldest signer.
When Anna Mary Robertson Moses died in 1961 at age 101, President John F. Kennedy released a statement praising her paintings for inspiring a nation, noting, "All Americans mourn her loss." Governor of New York Nelson Rockefeller had declared on her 101st birthday that there was "no more renowned artist in our entire country today." So who was this woman who captivated U.S. presidents and art audiences at home and abroad? Anna Mary Robertson Moses was better known to the world as Grandma Moses, a woman who didn't begin to paint until 76 when her hands became too crippled by arthritis to hold an embroidery needle. (The information concerning Laura Wilder, Benjamin Franklin and Anna Moses was taken from an article entitled "Seniors doing amazing things" (seniorservices.org),
We can find many wonderful Bible stories of people who did not let their advancing years put a damper on their accomplishments. When he was 85, Caleb, one of the spies and one of only three people who left Egypt with the Children of Israel allowed entry into Canaan, drove out the Anakites (Joshua 14:6-15). Moses continued to follow the calling of God to lead the Children of Israel to the promised land until he was 120 years old. These people did not find the "fountain of Youth,' it was an attitude of unwavering determination to answer the calling of God until He called them home.
We should never allow the tradition of sitting in the rocking chair on our front porch when we get to a certain age to stop us from accomplishing what God has called us to do. For example, the Pastor I relieved at Lighthouse Baptist Church in 2006 was in his mid-90's when God called him down another path. Pastor Robert Worley was very active in the ministry after retiring from his position as Senior Pastor at Lighthouse until God called him home.
Some continue to bear fruit well up into their years, while some even younger decide to stop and coast home. We should always be open to what God is calling us to do and be ready to follow Him no matter our age. Only God possesses the wisdom to know when we should end our mission here, so we should always dedicate ourselves to the Lord's Service until that time. Then we will be able to sing with the psalmist, "sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14).
If You would like the Verse of the Day sent to your daily E-Mail send a request in the "Comments" section. Please include your e-mail address
No comments:
Post a Comment