Still Useful
Hebrews 11:12 (ESV) 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Twelve
years ago, I retired from the Army and chose to pursue a new career, wanting to
step through a different door. Throughout my time in the Army, I had observed
many men that retired and took jobs as DA Civilians or contractors. They
loitered on the edges of military life, reminiscing about their days in
uniform. They were trapped in the twilight watercooler region of marginal purpose,
living on memories and “war-stories.” I deisred something different, a new
challenge, and settled on teaching. Next year I will turn sixty-two and be
eligible to collect Social Security. Fortunately for me, a teacher does need
great physical prowess to keep on working. I still provide a function society
considers useful, even important in some circles. Unlike many, in a world
devoted to youth, I enjoy a life of meaning and purpose. For many people my age,
life loses direction and purpose. But that is not God’s plan for us.
As
I make my way through Advent, I think of Abraham. In both Romans and Hebrews,
scripture notes that Abraham was as good as dead. Men moved by the Holy Spirit
penned that seemingly harsh judgment. The dude was as good as dead, but God
still had a purpose for his life, something important for him to do. God’s
actions in bringing about Advent remind me that He often uses the improbable to
achieve the impossible. In many ways, Advent is a several millennia-long string of dubious, or even unbelievable, events hung together culminating in God breaking
into our mean and meager existence with breathtaking results. Advent teaches
that age is not the deciding factor in living with purpose…or into purpose,
faith is.
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