In a bit over twelve months, I will be 70. I have been giving some thought to what I would like to do, to celebrate this milestone. When I turned 60, my family and I enjoyed a day on a vintage steam train, then had lunch in a local historical hotel, which has a magnificent view of the Megalong Valley, in the Blue Mountains. I can’t repeat the performance, because the train has closed after being burned out in a bush fire, and the hotel has priced itself out of contention. Plus the fact that physical problems would make it difficult for me to get on the train.
So far I have thought of flying over Antarctica (I’ll show those flat earthers!) but it’s rather expensive, and I certainly couldn’t afford to take the family…..and I doubt they could afford to pay for themselves. So back to the drawing board.
In the meantime, I’ve realised it might be a moot exercise. The way the world is going, and the way prophecy is pointing to the soon return of Jesus (I’m not setting dates here by the way….just that it will happen soon) I may not get the chance to celebrate my 70th. I have realised certain other things, although not all of these are dependent on Jesus’ return. It’s unlikely I’ll be a wife again. I really wanted to be the object of someone’s love, the desire of their heart. And yes, I am vain enough to mean desire. To be a sex object to them. But the way I am physically (now high maintenance), I have to be realistic and settle for companionship at the most, and have someone to care for me. I would really love that. Most of the time. Being an introvert, I love to have “me” time. Alone.
I would love to travel again, but I haven’t got the money. I would also need a carer, I couldn’t do it alone. I would love to do more study, but I doubt my brain could stay awake long enough. I would love to be able to look after my beloved wildlife….
But really does any of this matter? Sure, I feel sad that this may not happen, but I’ll get over that. The important thing is that I’m alive right now, and God has allowed me to go through a lot of “stuff” that has shaped me as a person, and I can now use that experience to be a more effective witness for Him.
He has commanded us to preach the Gospel, and to love each other and pray for each other. In fact we are told that once the Gospel has been preached to the whole world, then then end will come. We are also told that we should love our neighbour, and love each other. In fact that is how the world will know that we are his disciples. And the power of prayer? I know that works! Prayer has brought me through this last year!
So THAT is my real reason for being alive right now. I don’t know how long I have, whether I will die tomorrow, or whether I will live till Christ returns. I have experienced God’s love; His love, surpassing all other, and I need to tell others about it. I need to give them the chance I have had. I don’t need to convert them, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job….but I DO need to sow the seed. Or water the seed that others have sown.
My job is to preach the Gospel, to encourage fellow Christians, to pray for everyone, to help and care for others. Not only with the people I meet on a day to day basis here in this small community, but in the wider opportunities that I have courtesy of the internet. Because of that, I am no longer “shut in”.
It is not a duty, it is a privilege.
Light of Christ 