The Upper Room devotional reflection for Wednesday, November 2, 2022, comes to us from Janine Kuty of Virginia.
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “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. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 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.
Genesis 12:1-4NIV
NEVER TOO OLD
“Don’t you think the people on our church prayer list would like to know that we’re praying for them?” my grandmother asked one Sunday morning. And for the next six years, she sent cards to everyone on our church’s prayer list. She had to step away from this ministry in 2003 because of health issues, but by that time she had sent more than 12,000 prayer cards. My grandmother was 78 years old when she began her prayer card ministry. Her taking on this work later in life makes me think about Abraham, who was 75 years old when God called him. God had a grand purpose for Abraham’s life. God would bless all the people of the world through him (see Genesis 12:1-3).
Just as God inspired my grandmother to bless thousands of people, God had plans to bless multitudes through Abraham. What would have happened had Abraham rejected God’s call, feeling he was too old to bless anyone? How many people would have missed a blessing from the prayer card ministry – a ministry that continues today – if my grandmother had said no to God’s call? We are never too old to fulfill God’s purposes. And when we faithfully serve, God blesses countless others through us.
Friends,
Janine’s reflection offers us an encouraging and challenging affirmation: “We are never too old to fulfill God’s purposes.” How encouraging it is to know that no matter how old – or how young – we may be, it is not a hinderance for our ability to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives. Yet, we are also challenged by this affirmation, not to become complacent or apathetic in our service to God. No matter our age, God is calling us to fulfill a purpose only we can fulfill, to be the answer to someone’s prayer that only we can provide, and to be the consistent example of Christ’s love that someone is desperate to see. While our age might limit our ability to do some things, it also provides us with greater creativity and wisdom to share with others. I invite you to take time today to ask God what you can do to be a blessing to others and to challenge yourself to say “yes,” regardless of your age.
--Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for calling us to serve you, no matter our age. Empower us to do you good work throughout our lives. Amen.
-- Janine Kuty
Prayer Focus:
Older adults in my church.
Thought for the day:
How is God calling me to serve in this season?