Eighty Years Young!

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives" (Psa 90:14)

Moses was 80 when God called him. Although he cited many excuses, he never mentioned his old age. He was active in serving the Lord and His people till his death. The Scripture records, "Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigour abated" (Dt 34:7).

There may be retirement from secular jobs and even from Christian ministerial positions. But God never relieves anyone from serving Him just because of age. It is advised that retired people take up regular voluntary work in service organisations. Idling will lead to all sorts of physiological and psychological maladies. An idle man's mind becomes the devil's workshop. Don't lose your enthusiasm. 

Walterson was right when he said, "Years wrinkle the face, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." John Wesley (1703-1791), the Founder of Methodism, travelled 250 miles a day for 40 years; preached 40000 sermons; produced 400 books; knew 10 languages. At 83 he was annoyed that he could not write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes. At 86 he was ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained that there was an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5-30 in the morning!

History abounds with such testimonies of senior citizens. Michelangelo was still composing poetry and designing structures in his 89th year. He painted the ceiling of Sistine Chapel on his back on a scaffold at near 90. Milton completed Paradise Lost when 57 and Paradise Regained at 63. George Bernard Shaw wrote some of his famous plays at 80. Webster wrote his monumental dictionary at 70. Mother Teresa, a heart patient with so many ailments, never lost her smile in ministering to the unwanted and unlovables until she died at 87.

I admire my parents who served the Lord and ministered to people till death. Daddy, who retired as an Army officer and later as a security officer from an Engineering College, was selling Bibles, Testaments and hymnbooks till the day prior to his death. Mummy who had been operated for breast cancer kept visiting Christian homes, praying for families, and raising funds for missionary work until she could walk or write no more due to secondaries which terminated her life. I have dedicated this book to their memory (Page 7).

As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it!

(Margaret Deland)
 

Courtesy : http://www.stanleyonbible.com/dd/daily_devotions.php