When I was younger, I look forward to birthday celebrations. In my childhood up to high school years, my Mother would always ask me beforehand what she should cook during the day of my birthday. I will make the request and coming home from school, I could smell her mouth watering cooking and look forward to a sumptuous dinner celebration with the family. She made sure that day stands out from the usual. I think that is the reason why I never lost the excitement for birthday celebrations. It evoked beautiful memories. I kept the tradition of making my birthday week special from the time I left home until today.
Fast forward to my 40s… the anticipation is still there but the thought of getting a year older has been a bothering thought instead of a welcoming one. When people greet me in advance, I would reply in jest that I am holding on to my current age (or stopped counting) until the eve of my birthday. Why does aging bother us so much? Can we come to a point where we can proudly announce our true age?
In our small group, we have been studying the book by John MacArthur – “Twelve Extraordinary Women” and Sarah (wife of Abraham) has been the focus of our recent discussion. She started to be mentioned in the Bible when she was already 65 years old! It is retirement age but for her, her engaging story was just about to start. When God called her husband Abraham to travel to Canaan, she had to say farewell to a life of comfort. She had to leave the metropolis (Ur) and travel miles and miles away to an unknown land. She had to adjust to a new life in different places. She also had a soap drama episode with her maidservant, Hagar. The highlight was the realization of the request she had prayed for a long time - when she gave birth to Isaac … at 90 years old! During our round table, one shared that old age, did not stop Sarah from being hopeful and accomplishing her purpose.
Purpose… big word … what indeed is our purpose? I believe first and foremost to find our purpose, we need to acknowledge a Higher Being. He is the Source of our life and the One that determines where we are going after our time on earth is done. Heaven as a destination is decided, if one receives the promise of salvation and Lordship through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. In my experience, without acknowledging this fundamental truth, life will have no meaning at all. I will keep on toiling on my own but to what end? If you do not know Jesus Christ yet in your life, I highly encourage you to know Him personally not just as a legendary historical figure. If you have been a Christian for a long time and got lost on the way, seek Him once again. He longs to keep your life on track. Finally, if you are living the abundant life under His Lordship, press on and keep the faith!
Once we have this understanding and Christian perspective, things will never look the same. We find our purpose in Him alone. Each of us are blessed with unique skills, abilities and circumstances. Each of us have a story to tell that will inspire and influence others. If you are born into a family/situation that is not ideal, you have a unique privilege to change your story and the story of your family’s next generation. In your workplace, you can impact by striving to provide excellent service to clients whom your company caters to. In your community, you have a voice to make a change.
I am 46 now and will proudly embrace this season. I thank the Lord for allowing me to accomplish the goals I have laid down before Him in the past. I thank Him for opening the doors and granting my dreams one by one and even led me to paths I could have never imagined of taking. Now, I would be at the age where, one would like life to be just smooth sailing, take fewer risks, lesser stress. However, I learned from the life of Sarah that there’s still more ahead. God is not finished with me yet and there are exciting milestones up ahead and contributions/causes I can be a part of. If He asks me to take a risk, to come out of my comfort zone, may I be ready. If He asks me to take on more challenges, may I be open and willing to obey Him. I will continue to anticipate what’s ahead and continue to be in awe of His greatness and power. He has been faithful in the past and He will continue to be so today and in the future.
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