Extra: Fly, Run, Walk

~ “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” ~

Recently (March 14, 2012) my cousin Don was promoted to glory and eternally united with his Lord.

Don and his wife Jean were prayer warriors. They were active in prayer rooms in their city of Vancouver, B.C. In the months prior to becoming ill Don was working on a prayer walk of his entire city and he physically walked and prayed for all the north—south streets in Vancouver. Then due to his unexpected illness he was unable to physically walk the east—west routes. But, using a map he prayed over the people living and working on those streets from his bed!

This reminds me of what I call my “senior verse.” “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Notice the progression from flying with eagles, to running without tiring, and then to walking without losing heart. Experientially we know that in many cases we regress from flying, to running, to walking, to standing, to being bedridden, prior to meeting our Creator. 

In other words, physical life is not a continual upward climb. The moment we are born we have started the process of dying. But Don, like so many other of God’s redeemed children, was in an upward progression spiritually. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). 

Don fully understood the concept of being renewed in his inner being and of laying up treasures in heaven as he considered his eternal existence. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). His heart aligned with the love of God for his neighbors and his city; however, he looked forward to the eternal city, his final and eternal destination.  

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:21-27, emphasis added).

Have you, like Don, experienced the joy of standing fast regardless of your outward circumstances, and to trust your small life to the One who created you?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Learn from Moses

~ Isaiah 40:31 Points the Way for Seniors ~

Have you ever noticed that the progression of activity in Isaiah 40:31 seems to be backward?

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, emphasis added). The movement is from flying to running to walking! Normally we would think in terms of learning to walk followed by running. Flying comes later yet.

The passage can be thought of as a picture of the senior saints within the body of Christ. When they were younger they were actively “flying” on missions for their Lord. Over time their activities shifted to a run. As their bodies further wear down many are slowed to a walk—but that does not mean they are not useful. In fact much of the flying which is done in early life has little lasting value and many significant eternal accomplishments come with the wisdom of a slower pace later in life.

We often see this pattern around us. The Bible also provides examples of this progression.

Consider the life of Moses.

The Bible paints Moses in very human terms as he spends the first two-thirds of his life wrestling with his calling. Many are aware of the common summary of his life:
Moses spent his first 40 years thinking he was somebody—while the Lord kept him safe.
The next 40 years realizing he was a nobody—while the Lord humbled him.
Finally, he spent his last 40 years being used to benefit everybody—as he had become obedient to the Lord.

God used Moses in his final days as he served in at least three vital roles:
He was Commander-In-Chief of Israel’s army.
He was an Administrator of the nation’s internal affairs.
Finally, he was a Travel Guide as he brought the people to the plains of Moab.
Each of these roles in his later life required the wisdom that comes with experience.

Moses’ greatest accomplishments were late in life. Moses was Israel’s lawgiver. He was the first great prophet (Acts 7:37) and a type (picture) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses was Israel’s great deliverer.

Many would say that even today Moses stands out as the foremost man of the pre-Christian world. An anonymous writer put it this way, “Moses was one of the most colossal and majestic characters in the history of the world.”

There is much empirical evidence to conclude that God also considered Moses very highly. For example, consider that his life and work constitute about one-seventh of the whole Bible, or equal to about two-thirds of the New Testament.

CONTEMPLATE: God prepared Moses prior to using him. How has God prepared you? For what purpose?