DAY 8: REMEMBER, YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD! - 12 November 2018
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
In Tennessee, America, Callie Terrell turns 100 years old this month. What makes her story remarkable is that she is still working as a full-time hairdresser at a salon. Although she initially planned to continue her work until she was 102 years old, she decided to retire this month - just because the salon was sold.
As youngsters we usually have a lot of dreams, but as we grow older, we tend to put limitations on these dreams because we think we are “just too old” for it. However, with God there is no such thing as a due date.
Think for a minute about your life. What unfulfilled dreams do you feel that you are too old for? Perhaps a singing career? Susan Boyle from Britain was 48 years old when she was discovered during a talent show in Britain. Do you feel “too old” to meet the man/woman of your dreams? In America, Gertrude Mokotoff was 98-years-old when she married her 94-year-old man. Do you feel “too old” to become a parent? Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Or do you feel “too old” that God can use you as an instrument in His hand? Moses was 80 years old when he had to lead the Israelites from Egypt.
God operates outside of time and space as we know it. In 2 Peter 3:8 we read: “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.” In Jeremiah 32:27 God asks, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” And in Luke 19 Jesus tells a parable in which the workers each received golden coins – like we received gifts and talents. That was God’s gift to us. What we do with it, is our gift back to Him.
Let us remember that there are no limits to what God can do in and through us – no matter our age. Let's choose today to live a full life like Callie Terrell from Tennessee. And let's ask God to help us polish our golden coins and multiply them so He can say to us, “Well done my faithful servant” when we stand in front of Him. God bless.
Father God, thank you for all the talents and gifts you have given me. Please help me to no longer look for excuses or hide behind my age, but to trust You to help me to be all you created me to be. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• For more: See photo of Callie Terrell (the 100-year-old hairdresser), Susan Boyle (48-year-old singer – now almost 60) and Gertrude Mokotoff (98 year-old-bride) at www.benescke.co.za or on the Stories van Hoop Facebook page.
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