Age Doesn't Matter

“I’m not old enough to do that” is the excuse we use when we are younger.

Then we get older and say “I’m too old to do that.”

Between these excuses we have only a small window of time that we allow ourselves to let God lead us to WHATEVER he has planned for us!

I believe that God ALWAYS wants to do a new thing in our lives no matter how old we are! We just have to make sure we are listening!

All throughout scripture we see the phrase “He who has ears lets him hear”! God knows that in order for us to receive his words and guidance not only does he need to be talking but we need to be a place where we are truly listening (and willing to HEAR whatever he has to say)! 

When I was a kid I remember asking my mom for permission for many things. Certain questions, however, I could not finish because as soon as my mom heard a word she did not like, she would stop and give her answer “NO” before I even finished asking the question.

If you are a mom I can guarantee you have said to your child at one point or another, “ Stop…I already know where you are going with this and the answer is no.”

Often more times than not that response is in fact true and appropriate but then there are times when it was wrong. Where you assumed the question and weren’t really listening to what your child was asking!

I believe we do that with God too. As soon as we get the feeling he is calling us to be involved or more involved in ministry, or giving money to a ministry or missions, etc. we say no before we even let him finish! You think in your heart “ I already know where he is going with this and the answer is no.” And often the excuse that follows the answer no has to do with your age! You think I’m too young or I’m too old to do that for God!

But I’m here to tell you today that God does not care how old you are! He cares about his plans being fulfilled!

The next time you think your age is stopping you from getting involved in or starting a ministry for God remember this…

David was the youngest son of Jesse when he was called to be the King of Isreal! (1 Sam 16)

Jeremiah estimated to be about 17 years old when the Lord called him to be a prophet to the nations!

            “‘Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ ‘Ah Lord’, said Jeremiah, ‘I do not know how to speak I am only a child’. But the Lord said ‘Do not say you are only a child you must go everywhere I command you to go and say whatever I command you to say…I have put my words in your mouth’ “ (Jer. 1:5-10)

Mary was about 13 when she was chosen to be the Mother and care taker of the Son of God. (Matt 1:18-24)

Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born. (Gen 17:15-21; 21:1-3)

Sarah laughed when she hear the angel tell Abraham the news about them having a child. She couldn’t believe it because she was past the age of childbearing.  She thought she was too old but she gave birth the Isaac the start of many generations of God’s people “At the very time God had promised her”. (Gen 18 &21)

Joshua was still conquering grounds and fighting battles at the age of 85!

“So today I am 85 years old. I am still as strong as I was when Moses sent me out; I am just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then!” (Josh 14:10-11)

The bible says “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). God needs his children seeking his plans at every stage of their lives in order to fulfill ALL of the plans he has for us to do!

"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:19

Look what the Lord has done

Have you ever looked at a picture of an old friend and are flooded with memories? You can be all alone and start laughing out loud as you recall old jokes and embarrassing moments the two of you shared. It’s as if they just walked in the room and you went back in time!

It feels good to remember and be flooded with old feelings of great times and moments.

Even better than remembering fun times with old friends, it’s great when you are brought back to encounters you had with Jesus!

All throughout the Bible the children of God were constantly building alters, setting up monuments, and putting together festivals to remind themselves of the encounters they had with their God.

They were intentional about keeping reminders of times they had with God with them so they would never forget all that he has done for them!

In Exodus 25 the Israelites are commanded to make the Ark of the Covenant. It held the 2 tablets of the 10 commandments, Aaron’s staff, and a gold pot filled with Manna.

God wanted his people to carry this ark with them so they would be constantly reminded of the times that he met with them and performed signs and wonders in front of them.

In Joshua 4:19-24, Joshua sets up a pile of stones on the dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River. He did this so anyone who saw the rocks would be reminded of the miracle of God parting the waters. Joshua says he did that “so that the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (vs. 24)

Lastly the Israelites celebrate the Passover feast to remember the night that the Lord saved the firstborn children from the angel of death (Exodus 12)! They are commanded to celebrate the Passover annually to never forget the great miracle of the Lord!

We see through God’s pattern of scripture how God wants us not to forget times in our lives when he changes as and dwelt among us.

This generation loves taking pictures and videos of everything. Why? Because they don’t want to forget people, events, and memories. We are so careful to never miss moments we encounter with friends and family, but we do nothing to remember even greater moments we encounter with God!

I am convinced that people fall away from God when they begin to forget all that He has done for them. Satan tries to get them to forget the powerful encounters they have had with the Spirit of God and tries to downplay the miracles they have experienced. That is why it is important to be intentional about remember what the Lord has done in your life!

When you remember what God has done and relive moments and experience feelings of encounters with God, there is no denying that he is alive and powerful!

I challenge you today to do something, do anything to help yourself remember encounters, revelations, and miracles God has done in your life! Keep a symbol, write a poem or song, journal about it, create an art piece and keep them somewhere special!

Whenever your faith is running thin and you think God isn’t with you, look back and remind yourselves of all God has done for you!

1 Chronicles 16:12- Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced!

We are to remember all that God has done in our lives and respond in worship, and use our testimonies to show others the power of God!