Too old to serve?

So many times in the excuses made as to why people don't serve is that excuse. I am too old, too set in my ways. Are you really sure you want to go there? God does not have a retirement age, no social security to rest on your laurels. God expects us to be the energizer bunny and keep going.

Remember the story of Caleb? The other scout who, with Joshua, went into Canaan and came out with a favorable report.

Joshua 14:6- 13 KJV


6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.


7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.


8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.


9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.


10 And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.


11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.


12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as theLord said.


13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.


Caleb was 40 yrs old when he was sent with the other 11 spies. Now he is fourscore and 5 yrs which is 85 yrs old. And he wants a mountain to conquer and call his own! Caleb has the spirit of a 20 yr old in an 85 yr old body. He was promised this land and he was going to be certain he got it! There is no sign of aging in him, no sign of give up, no weakening of the Will.


Caleb did not rest on his laurels, he didn't say it was time to rest, to let the young ones take care of it. He did not shirk, or shrink, or try to modify in any way shape or form his promise from God. He waited and waited till his promise came to fruition and then he acted on it.






Caleb is an ensample to all of us. He was promised, then he had to wait a significant period of time, But when the time came he moved on his reward.






Instead of thinking you are too old how about changing your approach?


Maybe you can't get out and drive the bus, or lead the singing, or teach Sunday School.


But you can mentor a younger person. You can provide a witness and a testimony through example. Your faithfulness, your attendance, your presence can make all the difference in someone's life.


You can be a prayer warrior. You can be an outreach to folks who can't get out. You can make calls of encouragement to shut ins, or hospital visits to those injured and sick. You can be an encouragement to your pastor. You can do daily devotions through the phone or email with a group. You can do many things that will have an impact for God in this world.


We are all useful till the day we die. Unless we talk ourselves out of it. That is satan talking. Do not listen to him.


You are here on this earth until God decides you are done. Nothing on this earth happens without Him. You are here until HE decides you are done, not you.


Be all you can be until that day. Live the life you know will lead to no regrets on the day of judgement.