God’s Will
By Doug Harrell
Mitchell County
As August is approaching I am aware that this is the month that I will be turning the ripe young age of 79. It makes me pause and give thanks for the many years of blessings I have had. There have been many challenges and struggles along the way, but the blessings have outweighed them though. There have been financial hard times, and there have been severe health challenges but, through it all, God has been so faithful.
No matter our age we all tend to struggle with determining what God’s will is for our lives. If we truly are a believer in our Lord and Savior, if we truly believe His word we will have a longing to serve him. I don’t think we ever age out of these things. In fact, with age, we at times get more serious about our desire to be effective in following His will. One of the challenges of age is the mentality that we no longer matter, we are no longer able to be a servant. At times our bodies don’t have the strength or stamina to do the things we once could do and this makes us feel discarded or of no importance in the grand scheme of things. As the great theologian, C. S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set a new goal and to dream a new dream” and that is so true. As we get older, we need to always be looking ahead, not retire but redirect and refocus our efforts.
“I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.” Job 32:7 KJV
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be fat and flourishing;” Psalm 92:12-14 KJV
“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; Until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” Psalm 71:18 KJV
I guess that as I write this devotion this morning I am feeling my age a little and am searching for direction in what God would have me do, how He would have me serve and be a light for Him throughout the remainder of my years here on this old earth. Maybe a little melancholy as I realize that the years are passing by. The old saying “ a rolling stone gathers no moss” should always be in our minds. Just because there is snow on the rooftop does not mean that the fire is out below. Striving to keep the fires burning as we go through the days of our lives pays big dividends to us and those around us. We never grow too old to serve and encourage those around us to follow God and to lean on His word.
“And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” Genesis 24:1 KJV
Letting the Lord continue to bless us and use us in our old age is critical for each of us. Don’t retire from service to the Lord. Refocus on His will for your life today. I don’t know of any time in my life that I have ever felt that it was more important to stand tall even as we get handicapped to a degree with age. Age also hopefully gives us wisdom and the ability to be an encourager to those that need it most; our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Keep on striving to have an impact for good, and shine the light of Jesus as long as He gives you breath!
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Doug Harrell is a life-long resident of Mitchell County, Owner of Harrell Hill Farms, a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church, and former publisher of Blue Ridge Christian News. You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doug.harrell.77
You can read more good Christian News from Doug Harrell HERE
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