The Last Season

…even to your old age I am He,

    and to gray hairs I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

    I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:4

The last season. There are many advantages to being in the ‘last season’ of life here in the shadowlands, but … the paradoxes are many. The mind and soul many times still realize that we are ‘young’, but the body does not comply. What we ‘know’ we can do — is much less than what the body can perform. Wisdom and lots of experience provides a potential clarity of the situation. A body filled with scars is a testament to many miles traveled and battles fought. Hopefully we’ve learned humility is a cherished character trait to be thankful for. Moderation becomes a way of life, rather than the intensity of the pursuit of our limits and possibility. 

The spiritual side can be especially magnified, whether it be in the clutches of despair or bitterness, or in the heights of intimate relationship with God, His Son Jesus, and the magnificent power and wisdom of His Holy Spirit. It seems in this season every idiosyncrasy in one’s character is magnified. If you have developed the habit of seeking Him out at every turn and opportunity, then the wisdom you carry from so many years of Him pouring into you is so easily given to those who ask for it. Humility, gratefulness, and repentance have become a way of life. Decisions are a welcome conversation with the Holy Spirit that resides within us. And joy of following His instructions becomes an happy anticipation of watching Him work. We have learned to actually appreciate the hard times. 

God is the ultimate lover of the … antique. Especially in humans. Like One who restores the antique to better than it’s original point of manufacture. And…  Jesus is the friend that … is so familiar and loved .. that tears come frequently to feeling His close Presence. Love and mercy are deeper than one has ever known.. as the Father introduces us His magnificent plan and creation at ever increasing levels. 

And the anticipation of going home .. grows with each day. Not that we love our family less or don’t care about their welfare and journey … but that we’ve learned His love is so far surpassing of our own for our family. We KNOW He loves them more than we do, and that He can protect them far greater than we can .. so we pray knowing His heart for them.. placing them into His ever so capable hands. Knowing this… we value each day as precious and as an investment that He has given to us … for His purposes. Each day spent with the grandchildren is the .. frosting of our lives. Grandchildren are a mark of His blessing than can only be felt rather than fully understood. Why? His love is so overwhelming knowing how much you love those precious small humans .. which brings so much revelation of how much He loves … us. Children are such a GREAT blessing, grandchildren are double that. And God draws near to you .. whispering His love .. letting you know how much He LOVES  … family. Oh …to be gathered forever into His loving arms.

So if you have Godly elders in your life .. let them know how much you appreciate and love them. Godly elders can be one of your greatest sources .. if you allow them to be. They love you more than you understand at this point in your life. The prayer of Godly elder is POWERFUL in the Spirit. Spiritually they may be the greatest warriors you personally know. And they will gladly enter the fray for the sake of you. Seek them out. Invest your time in them .. and the return you receive will be greater than you expected. Ask them questions, listen to their .. stories. 

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor 1 Timothy 5:17