We're Too Old For This!

"We're too old for this." That's actually the thought that went through my mind last week. We're too old to totally change the direction of our lives and move our family to another country. I mean- I just turned 46 a few weeks ago and MJ just turned 40 back in February. This is the part of our lives when we should already be cruising along already doing what we're going to finish our lives out with, right? Now I hear some of you out there (who are older) saying, "you guys are young and have your whole lives ahead of you." Well, be that as it may, in my mind it would seem like the "wisest" thing (from a natural standpoint) to keep doing what we've been doing for the last 14 years- working in the local church. Not sell our possessions, move to a different continent where the living conditions are harsh to live in a shack in the middle of the Brazilian Rain Forrest. Especially when I get winded just walking to the mailbox. To think that I'll be living in the mountains of Brazil, where no matter where you walk it's all up-hill, makes me tired just thinking about it! And it seems like I get injured no matter what I do... playing with the kids, trying to play sports, even sleeping! That's right, I've actually hurt myself sleeping. And it's not just me because MJ pulled a muscle in her shoulder the other day drying off after she got out of the shower! Lol! Seriously... that really happened. (But don't tell her I told you.) And, on top of that, I'm not a handyman that can build stuff. And from what I've seen from how busy my brother-in-law has been there, there's a lot of building and repairing going on all the time. That kind of stuff is beyond my abilities.

Anyway, back to what I was saying at the beginning of this blog... the thought went through my mind last week that we were too old to start a new venture. It was just a fleeting thought though. Because immediately I started thinking about some of the people in the Bible who did stuff later in life:

Abraham was about 75 years old when he took his family and left Haran for Canaan.

Moses was 80 years old when he went to Egypt to deliver God's people.

Noah was 500 years old when God asked him to build the ark. Then it took 90-100 years to build it! Now you're probably saying, "yeah, but that was in Bible times." You're right, but 500 years old is old no matter how you slice it.

But there's two more people that come to mind. Howard Moore and Marilyn Moore. They weren't in the Bible. They are my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. They're 73 years old and 70 years old. 18 month ago they were living in the U.S. Happily retired from Wycliffe Bible Translators where they served for over 39 years. They had a couple of RV's, a bass boat, a quiet house on 17 acres and everything was paid for. They were able to travel and visit with all the people that supported them over the years. They were able to see any of their 37 grandkids whenever they wanted... life was good. But what happened 18 months ago is one of the most inspiring modern day stories, that I know of personally, of what it means to follow Jesus. You see, 18 months ago they felt God calling them to the mission field - to Brazil. At a time where they could finally relax, after all those years in ministry, they sold their 2 RV's, sold their bass boat, sold almost all their worldly possession, left behind grandchildren and friends and moved to the jungles of Brazil to serve Jesus.

When I saw it happening I was totally amazed. Amazed as all the things they acquired over the years were being sold at yard sales or given away. Almost every possession they had... liquidated.

Think about that. You live your whole life and acquire all these "things" then one day you hear the voice of God and just release it all. Bam! Gone. But the thing that made it all the more impacting for me was to see that they did it joyfully and willingly. Wow. What a testimony. And all this in the twilight of their life. Thanks Mom and Dad for living out your life in front of us all.

So in light of their life unfolding in front of me, it was easy to answer the question that came to my mind that day... No, we're not too old for this! And if you're still breathing either are you. No matter where we are are on our journey of life, if God has asked us to do something we've got to do it... no matter how old we are or how it fits with what we have planned. Following God's call has to be our biggest priority. There are people who need what we have... Jesus.

Passionately Following Him,

Jim

My Father-in-law, MJ and my Mother-in-law in Brazil this past April.