Monday Memo 1157: Good As Dead

Hebrews 11 has a lot to say about Abraham, but let's focus on this one verse:

And so from this one man [Abraham], and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore (Hebrews 11:12).

You probably know the story. Abraham and Sarah couldn't have children, tried to have one through a surrogate mother, and when they had all but given up in the natural, God moved and Sarah got pregnant. We tend to romanticize stories like this because the Bible covers the years in which they took place so quickly. But put yourself in Abraham's and Sarah's place.

They had to change diapers and walk with their sick child—in their old age. They had to cook and make a life for their child—in their old age. They had to train and teach Isaac the ways of life and the ways of the Lord—in their old age. Abraham had to take Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice—in his old age. I'm sure they had help but still, a child coming in their nineties was a major interruption of life as they had known it.

And now you are challenged to learn from and be like Abraham. That means you're to trust God to do something—your business, ministry, education, or provision. You are waiting, hoping, praying and preparing, but the fulfillment of your promise or dream is in God's hands. So what if He doesn't "move" or act until you're at an age at which you thought, "it's too late"?

I'm 74 years old as I write. I'll travel 100,000 miles this year. With God's help, I'll write five books. I work six days a week, usually from 6 am to 8 pm. And there's no end in sight. I've prayed the prayer, "Put me in, Coach" and He has and is. Like Abraham, I'm past my prime but also like Abraham, I'm available to God so we can accomplish His purpose in and through me.

I'm not interested in retirement for as someone once said, "Why would I stop doing what I love to do nothing?" My latest doctor's visit gave me a thumbs up in every area, but I know that can change without notice. So even though, like Abraham, I am "as good as dead" and in the latter part of my life, I'm alive in Christ to do all the things He puts before me to do

So what about you? What mindset do you have? Are you thinking "I'm as good as dead," and acting like it? Are you afraid to try something new or move into expressions of your purpose and creativity you haven't tried before because you think you're too old, afraid something "bad" will happen? Are you playing the "I'm too old" card, or thinking, "I'm forty and God has to move now or it will be too late", like things to happen now or else?

The truth is, it's never too late when you're in your purpose. You're only too old for purpose if you accept that thinking and then act it out. Or you can be like Abraham, seeing your best fruit in your later years, because you knew how to draw strength from the Lord as you walk in obedience to His will for your life, for which you are never too old. Have a blessed week!