I’ve been traveling a lot for work these days. When I was younger, I used to enjoy it. Spend a night in a random city, stay in a clean hotel room where you don’t have to make your bed, order room service, call it a night. I used to even prolong business trips and leave in the morning so I could sneak in an extra night of free room service. Now that I’m older and I have a family, I hate traveling and would much rather just be home. Besides, I don’t make my own bed at home anyway!
It’s funny how priorities change as we get older. Though I don’t see myself as very old (Timothy may disagree), I also don’t see myself as very young (Destiny may disagree). But one thing that’s become clear is how different the things I care about have become. Instead of expensive expensed meals, I’d rather be picking leftover food off my son’s plate as my wife chases him around the house trying to get him to finish his dinner. Instead of staying up late watching movies ordered to my hotel room, I’d rather watch my kids sleep through the grainy images of a camera monitor.
I wonder if my faith has changed as well. Everything I read about the movers and shakers of the Christian faith, be it in missions or in culture, seems to hinge around the younger generation. David Platt became the youngest senior head pastor of a mega church at the age of 26. Hudson Taylor first went to China as a missionary at the age of 21. The Student Volunteer movement was an organization founded in the late 1800s that sent hundreds of college students and recent graduates into the missions field and was a huge part in shaping how missions exists in the world at large today. And this is even true biblically. King David is believed to have been 12-16 years old when he was anointed King of Israel by the prophet Samuel. Samuel himself was dedicated to the Lord at the tender age of 12. Thus, it’s clear that God definitely uses and moves in the heart of our young people to build His kingdom.
So what does this mean for our church? For the younger people, it’s obvious – go out and live radically for Jesus! There will never be another time in your life like now, where you will have the maximum amount of freedom and passion to chase after God. But for those of us who trend towards the older group, does this mean we’re done living passionately for God? Are we simply supposed to be satisfied with growing older and taking care of our families and keeping up with the Jones’s?
Heck no. There’s nothing wrong with taking care of your family and raising up godly children who love the Lord. But I believe if we feel that’s our ONLY role in the kingdom of God, then we are selling God, and ourselves, very short. Even though God certainly uses the younger generations to do great things for His kingdom, I believe that He’s got plenty for us older folks as well. Abraham was 75 years old when he departed Haran for the Promised Land. Elizabeth is believed to have been 88 when she gave birth to John the Baptist. And if you’re looking for something a bit younger, this guy named Jesus is believed to have started his earthly ministry at the age of 33.
So, church, let’s not lose ourselves in the world and the rat race. Rather, let us focus on God and “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) I challenge you, if you had dreams as a young man or woman but have given up on them since you’ve gotten older, dream again. Ask for greater vision. Pursue deeper intimacy with the Lord. Even though my priorities may have changed, one thing I know to be true is still the same: God has big things for all of us but we have to be willing participants in HIS story to make HISTORY.
From Pastor David’s Heart
March 15, 2015