Too Old or Too Young?

I turned 46 just a few months ago. And I will be honest, that it has been a little hard at times. I sometimes wonder if I have accomplished all that God wanted me to by now and I see and feel the physical changes. I can’t deny that. The word, “perimenopausal” is a thing, with changes in sleep patterns, changes in metabolism and even changes in mood. It requires much more intention on my part to take care of my body, exercise and eat right. And I still have some dreams I have yet to accomplish and I feel this is when the enemy creeps in with lies.

You're too old to do that.

You missed your chance.

You could have done that years ago but now you won't be able to.

You don’t have the energy to accomplish big dreams.

It requires a stronger sense of spiritual warfare to extinguish those thoughts with the truth. God’s Word is so important for us to feast on regularly to remember what the Lord says about us. He does have plans to prosper us, no matter our age. There are so many stories in the bible of how God used people, both young and old. I know age is also relative. But I think when we start to notice the aging process; this is when we need to take those thoughts captive. Not denying or pretending that aging isn’t happening, but embracing our role now. Because we have such an intentional God, we can trust that we are placed in this time in history at our current age, in the community we live and the family we are a part of for a reason. 

Perhaps you were born for such a time as this. -Esther 4:14

I want to also speak about the pride that creeps into our thinking even when we don't realize it. There is truth that age affects us. Quite obviously in the physical sense and in other ways too. And I think we were meant to join with younger generations to accomplish God’s work. But it is hard to admit at times and I think because of our age, we want to believe that we are more independent because of our life experience. But I think the wisdom we possess has a place for the younger generations and zeal and innovation breathes life into that wisdom to make wonderful things for God’s kingdom. I am realizing that what I have to offer now is different from what I had to offer in my 20s but not any less impactful. I think if we were to collaborate together with different generations to innovate, we could have something that could touch many generations to come until Jesus’ return. I want that kind of impact. But it requires my understanding that I need others with different perspectives to accomplish the big things in my heart. Yes, I am older and I don’t have to try to compensate and appear to be younger than I am but instead embrace my life experience and the wisdom I have to offer with the gifts that the younger generations have to offer as well. I feel it is a bridge that can create so much unity.

While different generations have so many different gifts to offer, we are united in so much more. In the way we are shaped, molded and remade. In the way we all are undeserving of the redemption we find in Jesus but yet He loved us all enough to give the greatest gift of all.

There is a place that we must get to first before we can work together. We must believe that God has something for us, no matter our age. 

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. -Isaiah 46:4 NIV

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:31 NIV

That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. -2 Corinthians 4:16 GW

Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age -Job 32:7 NLT

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. -I Timothy 4:12 NIV

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." -Jeremiah 1:7 NIV

I hope you know you are valued as you are. If you are feeling too old or too young, it is a lie. Our intentional God has specifically placed you in this moment in time, the age that you are, so that you could be impactful. We can all be a part of what God is doing, he just needs our willingness.