Are You Too Old to Dream?

Dear Friends,

Are you too old to dream?

Bonnie and I host a chapel service at an assisted living community. After a recent service, during which the topic had been “God’s Dream for Your Life,” one of the residents approached us and asked, “Why do most sermons seem to be directed at young people?”

Building dreams seems like yesterday’s opportunity to many seniors. Who can dream, they may wonder, when it is major challenge to just push their walkers to the dining room?

Is building dreams yesterday’s opportunity? Do all of the promises found in the Bible have a date code—use before age …, or can we still dream dreams? Was God speaking only to the exiles, or can the words of Jeremiah 29:11 offer us hope? “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A dear 94-year old lady, who recently went to be with the Lord, used to pull us close and ask, “Why am I still here—what is my purpose?” She would sit in our chapel service softly singing the words, “Jesus loves me this I know.” Little did she know how often her simple song lifted our spirits. She had a dream to serve God, and it turned out that she did serve Him to the very end. Words from a poem by CT Studd come to mind:

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What is God’s dream or purpose for our lives? Perhaps we, like Timothy are called to be co-worker[s] in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage [others] in [their] faith, and to keep [them] from being shaken by the troubles [they are] going through. (See 1 Thessalonians 3:2 NLT)

Could it be that, like the Apostle Paul, our Goal should be to “do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:23

We can all dream of making a difference. The place to start is where we are. Maybe it’s too late for us to, as Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” But as long as we are living, we have the opportunity to share with those in our own world.

Chapter 12 of Romans is a guidebook on how we can achieve our dream of making a difference. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Ibid 9-10

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Ibid verse 18

Verse for the week: ^“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ