I had another birthday last month – firecrackers and all. I was born on the 4th of July. Seems there is no stopping that clock ticking and the older I get the more I face the reality that I am not ready to stop. I seem to want to go further and do more each year but time seems to zoom by faster each day and I get frustrated when I can’t get it all done.
I was reading this passage in my quiet time…
“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ‘Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ‘Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.””
– Isaiah 38:2-5
Wow! Could I get God to add 15 years to my life? That’s much better than Botox.
In reality, I think the secret may be in how we think. Are you focusing on your aging body, mind and the good ole’ days? Are you falling into stubbornness, stale choices, following the crowd, and heading for easy street? Or are you doing your part to keep healthy and stretching your brain with challenging books, thought provoking media, simulating conversation, and innovative thinking?
Fear and shame are the two biggest obstacles the father of Lies uses to defeat us, and Jesus conquered them on the cross. Our God reigns and He wants us to trust and delight ourselves in Him first and then He promises us the desires of our heart. Make the choice, fear and shame or God’s freedom?
God isn’t finished with you yet – are you finished with Him? Do you trust that at any age God has a unique plan for your life and He wants you to run the race to the end? He has new things to teach you, places to take you, and people for you to impact. Grab hold of those dreams, dust off those buried desires, get off the couch, and let God energize you with His Spirit. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb. 13:8.
Claim those extra 15 years and let’s roll.
