Age cannot wither

As one who is in the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" (John Keats 'To Autumn') in terms of life and experience, it was with a degree of wistful nostalgia that I read the following words yesterday:

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" ~ Ecclesiastes 12:1

Sadly, I am no longer in the first flush of youth, only the hot flush of middle age.

Though, I prefer to consider that "these years are still the years of my prime. It is important to recognise the years of one's prime, always remember that" ~ Muriel Spark in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'.

And my days have already been full of trouble enough, thank you.

Surely God hasn't finished with me yet?

Thankfully, no.

If anything, these years are ones where my relationship with God is stronger than ever.

In the leaning and the learning He holds me steady as the Rock hewn for us.

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree...planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock.." ~ Psalm 92:12 - 15

This year I have dared to have a God-sized dream and believe for it to be fulfilled.

It requires much watering with the Word and refreshing by the Spirit.

Instead of thinking I am beyond going deeper with God, this could be the most productive season of my life and yours too. In Scripture, for Abraham and Sarah, life sprang forth anew and their latter years were fertile with great hope and promise. And they can be the same for us at any stage.

"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety" ~ William Shakespeare in 'Antony and Cleopatra'

I aim to keep on dreaming, keep on growing strong and vibrant inwardly if not outwardly.

As our roots dig deep into the river of grace we will be sustained and strengthened.

"But blessed is the man (or woman) who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He (she) will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" ~ Jeremiah 17:7 - 8 (additions mine)

In the light of eternity, what are a few lines, wrinkles or grey hair? We can take pains to alter some of that now, but in time to come our new resurrection bodies will be fit, strong and ever-youthful.

Sadly, many spend far too much time, energy (and money) on trying to push back signs of ageing in the here and now and have spent none on maintaining their inner life.

Our spirit is eternal and not subject to the ageing process.

We can be continually refreshed as we live under the waterfall of God's grace.

May I encourage you to focus more on the incorruptible, eternal, spiritual things of life rather than the temporary, temporal and fleeting things that are subject to decay and will ultimately fade, rust, spoil and perish?

As you look back on your life with God and look forward to the life to come, you will be glad that you did.

Some say, "It's not over until the fat lady sings"; God says that while we have life and breath we are on active service for Him. No retirement in His Kingdom!

I want to leave a spiritual inheritance; to not be satisfied unless I can say to God, "Don't take me "till I have declared your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come"."

Will you join me?

Dare to believe the best is yet to come.

God hasn't finished with us yet.

No matter if you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s or (like me) beyond, there is a God-sized dream and a God-shaped purpose with your name on it.

Let us remember that as children of God we are the ageless ones, destined to live with Him forever.

Age shall not wither us. 

We are "like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God" ~ Psalm 52:8

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever" ~ Psalm 73:26

Linking here with Tania Vaughan and 'Monday Ministry' where we aim to take Sunday thoughts into the rest of the week. Do join us. It is open for the rest of the week.

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