“…though our outward man perish…”
Yesterday evening, I was able to listen to most of a 15-minute broadcast on Faith Music Radio. The preacher was sharing his burden for those Christians in their twilight years and their need to continue serving the Lord. My heart was stirred as it brought to my mind the opportunity God gave me in April to challenge dear senior saint ladies in this very area! I also had to smile as one of the verses mentioned on the broadcast was II Corinthians 4:16…
“…though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
Why was I smiling? (or maybe wincing just a little). I had just admitted to a friend yesterday afternoon that I was experiencing some back pain due to not-so-wise actions on my part. Yes, as the preacher quoted that verse, I knew exactly what that perishing outward man was all about!
BUT…here’s the good news! This time of being a little more careful while my back heals has afforded opportunity to work on some less strenuous projects. Monday was spent sitting in front of my crowded bookshelf and decluttering as well as looking through old Bible journals and writings. Before I knew it, I was getting motivated to pull out and work on a few writing projects that had been collecting some dust.
You know what? It’s hard to write or study or reach out to our sisters in Christ when we’re busy painting a room or pulling up carpet or rearranging furniture, etc. Now, all those things are good and definitely have their place in our homes…but…sometimes the Lord just has to put us down for a bit in order to direct our attention and energy to more important things.
Back to that broadcast last night…
As our outward man does indeed grow older, God’s plan for senior saints is NOT for us to retire from serving Him! No, no, no! Our bodies may not be able to do what we used to do in our teens and twenties, but our inward man should be stronger than ever! Because of this, senior saints have much to offer in the work of the Lord!
As God continues to give us years here on earth, let’s determine to make the most of them – for HIS glory!! We’re not finished until GOD says we’re finished!
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” II Timothy 4:7
“The very fact of a Christian being here, and not in Heaven, is a proof that some work awaits him.” ~ William Arnot