January 19, 2020 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I went fishing with a buddy who is about the same age as me. We went in his boat which is located on a canal lined with houses. My friend is past president of the fishing club for the community and knows practically everyone living there. He began pointing out house after house where people he knew had lived that have recently died.
It was kind of a bummer and I told him it appeared that they were “dropping out flies in that neighborhood.” As I thought about it, I looked back on 2020 and remembered some of my friends and acquaintances who had departed this earth and gone on to greater glory last year.
Egad! Many of them were younger than me! I don’t like to think of myself as being old. I remember my youth like it was yesterday and still think young. Sigh – but my body tells me otherwise most every day, and though I fight with it daily I know it is true.
Ah – But not yet! Yesterday we went far offshore and got our limit of tuna and miscellaneous other fish and though it hurt my arthritic hands to reel those big boys in, I did get them in and smiled throughout the day.
I’m not ready to throw the towel in yet. Many projects are whirling around inside my old gray head and most concern evangelism. I used to fight at every opportunity and if I was to go down, I was determined to go down swinging and win, lose, or draw, I fought tenaciously.
I feel the same today, only this time my fight is with Satan. Throughout my life his biggest weapon has been attempting to discourage me into hopelessness. In my youth it was low self-esteem and believing those around me who said I would never amount to anything, and that I was dumb, and a black sheep. It was discouraging for a while, but when God entered my life, He simply made me more determined than ever to work harder and smarter than most and lo and behold I looked at what I’d achieved in life through Him one day and I was successful.
Today Satan wants to convince me I’m too old and broken up to be of much value to anyone. He underestimates me and my Father Jesus who strengthens me. Sure I’m going to die, but I plan on going out like a fiery meteor streaking across the beautiful night sky full of fire and gusto. My presence will disappear from this fallen world with the meteor, but it will be exhilarating and fun while it lasts.
I say all that to say that death has been defeated and we truly are as young as we feel. My Bible study partner is out in Colorado skiing and he is feeling the wear and tear on his old body and the additional weight of his big belly as he attacks the slopes. He told me he wasn’t the skier he remembered just a few short years earlier and that his knees hurt and he got winded easily. Hey, I admire that he is still out there and skiing those blacks with all his young buck counterparts and he is loving every minute of it. Bravo!
He gets up before daylight and studies the Bible and prays and is serving God as best he knows how. I think God is happy with that. My advice today is to realize that your name is written in the Lambs book of life with indelible ink. Nothing can erase it. So relax and enjoy your life to the hilt, yes, even the trials and tribulations. Focus on Jesus and not yourself. As you plan your day today, try to come up with some ideas of what can you do for Him — today, not tomorrow? I know that aside from you loving Him He wants you to love your neighbor as yourself. Know anyone who needs a helping hand?
When asked what the most surprising thing about life was, Billy Graham responded, the brevity of it. I would heartily agree. One minute you’re are basking in the glory of your youth and the next you are groaning when you sit down or walk up some stairs. You cannot hear all that well and your vision ain’t what it used to be. Oh but you have wisdom. If you only knew then what you know now. Find a young person who will listen and mentor them, (if you can find one who will listen.) LOL
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.