Last week I celebrated one more birthday, yes I hit the “80” mark. I admit, I never pictured myself at this advanced age.  As the years go by and infirmities increase, I find I tend to focus on my own needs,  meds, docs, appointments, and whatever each day may bring.  God always has bigger plans.  If He has blessed us with all these years – he must have a plan for us, a purpose for each new day, even in our aging. 

Now I have no illusions of greatness in this new decade.  Unlike Moses, I won’t lead my people out of slavery in Egypt, a challenge he accepted at 80 years.   Unlike Daniel, I won’t survive a den of lions, a feat he managed at the age of 81.     

In 2020, we are not enslaved by the Egyptians, and yet people here in our nation are oppressed.   We see races and ethnicities that are privileged and others that are not.   We are not sent to a den of lions like Daniel, yet we find ourselves in a den of fear – fear of hatred, violence and disease. 

In the midst of all this, I feel helpless.  Maybe you do too.  Looking back at our biblical heroes, we see men who didn’t set out to be heroes, they just did whatever it was that God asked.  God’s requests didn’t seem logical, but they responded with a firm yes Lord.  Our world is torn with division and dissention.  Where God would have love, we see hatred.  What is he calling us to do?  What does he want from me, from you?  

I don’t think God is asking us to be heroic, but only to be what we can be, where we are, with those we meet.   What’s more, He’s ever so willing to help us change and grow, to see the opportunities before us, to see what he would have us do.  He can show us the way.

I’m reminded me of the spiritual song:

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You.”*

Remember, God continues to bestow His blessings upon us,  to love us deeply and unconditionally no matter our age.

Judy

“Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord”,  Michael W. Smith