Breaking News! A 75-year-old man starts a bold new ministry! He moved to a new country and started on an adventure that most 25 year olds wouldn’t likely tackle. Now, that bit of news is about four thousand years old. Most everyone acquainted with Jewish and Christian history, knows this most memorable dude!
Here’s the story. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.’ So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” Genesis 12:1-5 (NIV).
You may think it’s crazy for a near 60 year old to say this, but I really do hope that God is still calling me to something new when I’m 75. I really do hope he still calls me to walk by faith. I want him to stretch my small dreams into large ones. I long for him to motivate me to more than I could ever imagine. I don’t want to miss a moment of what God has for me in my life. John Barrymore expressed it well, “A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”
I did what Abram did when I was 32. I moved my family to Cape Coral, Florida to launch a new church with only two other support couples. I’ve been privileged to be a blessing to others. And I never want to stop being used by God. There’s nothing better.
The month of May is known as Older American’s month as proclaimed by the Administration on Aging. Let’s celebrate the value, the accomplishments and contribution of older adults in our culture. Let’s find ways to honor older adults who have blessed us, mentored us and walked the journey before us. And remember what Mark Twain said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
But even more, if you are an older adult, don’t be afraid to be bold. Try something new. Take a risk. Do what God calls you to do. Let him stretch you and your dreams. For Abraham, at age 75, the best was yet to come. For me, I happen to believe the best is yet come. Count me in. How about you?
QUESTION: What is one area that God is calling you to take a risk? We would love to hear it in the comment section below.
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