Today I want to encourage you. Sometimes I feel as though my devotions lack encouragement and lean too hard on how we should live. So many of us are going through difficult chapters in our lives. Grieving, disappointed in their walk with God, tired, discouraged and even wondering what difference they make in life. What is my purpose, I am in a rut. Let me start with this verse. Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This refers to the spiritual transformation that is in progress in your life. It started when you accepted Christ and continues today.
Life goes by fast, especially the older you get. Yes, we are but a vapor or a wave in the ocean that that comes and goes. Perhaps your life was not what you had envisioned as a teenager. You prayed prayers to God but feel He never answered them or at least the way you wanted Him to. I imagine if you examine your life honestly, you are very thankful many of those prayers got answered by God in a way that made your life better, not worse. Would we have turned out better had we designed our life or if the one who created us, determined how our life would turn out. I am thankful that God is in control. Yes, we had dreams that never happened and doors that were closed instead of opened, but be very thankful to God.
Does God still want to use me at this age? Remember, God is not finished with you yet. Since you are breathing, God still is unfolding His plan for your life. Maybe you feel too old to do things you once could. Your limited by your health and strength to do much for God. Trust me, if God wants to use you for a purpose, He will give you the strength and the way. Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Think about that! That is very encouraging to me at 68. God has carried you through valleys, and He will continue to do that till your last breath. We have all failed God or done things we are ashamed of, no doubt. We can’t undo those things, but that is our past and every living person has a past. When God forgives, He does not waste a moment thinking of your past mistakes, so why should we. Take Peter, an Apostle, denied Jesus three times. He was thinking, “what have I done.” “I will never be forgiven for this.” Did Jesus toss Peter in the trash. NO! Jesus had not completed His good work in Peter, it had really just begun. He restored Peter, used Peter and he went on to become an amazing servant of God.
Our failures are not our final chapter in life. Just a chapter. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says…“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That means come to me, tired, brokenhearted, disappointed, feeling useless, forgotten, confused, whatever you are feeling….. “come”. Your life is vitally important to God. He still has His plans He is unfolding daily. Someone out there still needs your encouragement, your hug, your smile, your text or call, your note in the mail. Your testimony still needs to be heard by someone. It is entirely possible that the greatest work God is going to do in your life is not behind you but ahead of you. Think about it! Don’t stop now because you think you are too old. Don’t sell yourself short. God sure doesn’t. You don’t see tomorrow but God already knows “His plans” for your tomorrow. Just be thankful when His plan is not what you had planned. God is not finished writing this chapter of your life and he certainly is not finished writing your whole story.
Stop asking why you are here. Start asking, Lord who can I encourage today, pray for today, love today, forgive today, serve today or even talk about what you have done for me, today?
My friends… God is not finished with you yet. Think about that. Seriously, think about it.
Jim
