Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I woke up feeling the pain of my laborious weekend, and my mood was inclined to follow what my body feels this morning. I didn’t feel like getting up and I didn’t feel like sitting on the front porch. I didn’t feel like welcoming in the new day and I didn’t feel like filling my soul. But I forced myself into motion to do what I do each day, and after just a little time with the Living God and a little time pondering my Instruction Manual and now; my body may be in slow motion this morning but my soul is full-speed-ahead and my aches and pains won’t hinder what the Master has for me today. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

I love being older and wiser but there are some things about getting older that aren’t fun. The body begins to rebel a little bit and our strength and stamina aren’t what they used to be. What used to be effortless can become a major undertaking and what used to take minutes can take much longer. We lick our wounds a little more when we’re older and if we aren’t careful we’ll stop doing those things that test the body altogether because we’re not willing to pay the price or to take the risk. Although we can only do so much to turn-back-the-clock for the body, being “old” is really a state of mind. The mind is much stronger than the body is and so much of what we excuse away and we stop trying to do has more to do with the state of the mind than it does with the frailty of the body. The mind can propel forward and the mind can cheer us on OR the mind can stop us in our tracts. The mind can convince us that we’re “too old” to do this or that, and the mind can override the fears of age. It’s when the mind and the heart are willing, that the body will follow too, and although it may not be able to physically keep up the same as it did in the old days; we keep moving forward for Him.

Our Purpose doesn’t fade with old age although most people embrace the concept of doing less as they get older. It may be a little more difficult to do what we did years ago, but when we’re willing; our wisdom makes up for the loss. So many of the Saints that we read about in the Bible like Noah and Abraham and Moses were called into service in their senior years, and I’m pretty sure they had aches and pains too. But when Faith is foremost and the heart is focused on pleasing our God, fear of age takes a back seat, and when the heart is willing; the body will follow…even if it’s tired or achy. It’s when we slow down to lick our wounds or we convince ourselves that service is for younger people that life has already ended for us; we just haven’t stopped breathing yet. Our days are allotted to us with great Purpose, and each day is a gift from God. Not just for us to be around to enjoy the view from the front porch of a farm in Virginia or to play with the grands, but to serve Him. Is it possible to be “too old” for that?

My body may be feeling the pain of my efforts, but my mind and my heart are ready for this new day and I’ll continue to do the Work of the King no matter what. I’ve been blessed with long years and I’ve been blessed with good health and I’ve been double blessed with Wisdom that came with the journey, and I’m not willing to take stop working or to take any of these things for granted…not even for one day… even if it “hurts”. How about you? Do you allow the limitations of age to limit your Heart too and are you sitting back licking your wounds while you expect somebody younger do the work? If so, reach out to me. I’ll write a list that will wrap around Virginia a few times of examples of people given the Strength to do His Work with no regard for age, and I’ll explain the dangers of surrendering your Purpose because of your years, and when I’m done with you; you’ll keep Moving toward the Goal despite your age and your aches and pains and you’ll Serve the King all the days of your life with a body that may be tired, but with a Heart that refuses to stop singing too.