Are You Too Old or Too Young?

My father was 49 years old when he finally moved to Haiti full-time. You’re not too old for God to use you and you’re not too young, either.

At the age of 65 my father moved to the Dominican Republic—having a recent diagnosis of cancer just prior to starting a new work across the North Coast of Sosua. What are you waiting for?

Age is not a limitation unless we think it is. Do you think you’re too old? I’ll ask the question this way: Can God not use you at your age? 

The New Missions office doorbell rang in Orlando and I went to open the front door as moms and their kids came in to volunteer. Big smiles on little faces made my heart leap for joy. Even at the age of five, these young ones will make a difference as they pack shoebox gifts. 

Society identifies people as too young or too old. God looks at us and sees people who are available. “Dear Lord, use me!” If that is your prayer, then you are the right age. 

David approached the giant, Goliath, with his slingshot—and he was just a young shepherd boy. That’s right…a boy! God used him at his age with the appropriate experiences and resources he already had. 1 Samuel 17:39 says, “David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.” 

David could not be used with what was not uniquely his. You and I cannot take upon ourselves someone else’s skills, tools, and equipment to serve our Lord. We must come as who God made us to be—because only then will we be the most effective. “Then he [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd̓s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40) David went with what God already gave him.

What about retirement? Dr. Charles Stanley said, “What can you do then that you cannot do now?” That was his response with regard to what his thoughts were on retirement. If you want to golf more when you retire, go golfing now. Actually, my recommendation is for you to invite someone far from God to go golfing with you now. Use your love for golf to turn the greens into your mission field. 

My hope and prayer is to be used by God every day until I die…and not let age ever become an excuse. Are we asking these questions which can hold us back? Am I too old or too young? Is it too late or am I not ready yet? Instead, may God give us a supernatural energy and passion for today. 

One of my life verses comes from Psalm 90:17,  “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.” May we welcome God’s favor to rest upon us no matter our age, so His work can be accomplished because we are living a life surrendered to Him. ~Tim DeTellis