Joshua 14:6-12 – “Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the word which the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-Barnea. 7 “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8 “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. 9 “So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’ 10 “Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11 ” I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12 “Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken.” NASB

I recently began to think about Caleb and his exploits at 85 years of age. “Give me this mountain….” and Moses who spent 40 years being schooled and trained, 40 years getting Egypt out of him so God could use him, and 40 years leading the people of God. Two men that did great exploits after the age of 80 and yet we have a society who considers the elderly throw away items to be discarded. I am appalled by that and believe that God is too.

I have believed all my life that while we can retire from our jobs we cannot retire from life and the service of the Kingdom of God. Oh we may not lead churches, we may not travel in extended meetings, we may not do many of the things we did in our younger days but we have knowledge that only comes from years and experience, we have niches we can fill that no one is filling and often no one wants to fill.

We all have our sphere of influence in which we can operate and have an impact for the kingdom of God. We should bloom where we are planted! If God has planted us in a particular spot for a season, then bloom there and let the fragrance of His presence be known. It matters not how large or how small the service it only matters that we are obedient to His voice and faithful in His call!

My wife’s battle with Stage Four Metastatic Breast has renewed my desire to see those who have begun to enter the years of life where much of society views them (us) as not being useful any longer, become fruitful in their labors! If you only touch one life for the Kingdom that is a victory! If only a few know your name at the end of your journey but recognize the Lord in you, that is a victory! Refuse to allow age or even physical limitations to restrict or deny you. The Lord will make a way where there seems to be no way!

I am so blessed to have this forum to reach out and touch others and be touched by them. You minister to me far more than I minister to you and I treasure each day that I get to interact with you. Thank you for allowing me to come into your lives and thank you for coming into mine. For those of us who are seasoned citizens, I say, “NEVER GIVE UP!” God has a place, a time, a ministry, and a work for you to do until the time He calls you home! As you hear His voice, follow His command, do it with your all, and with joy!

Blessings to you today as you walk in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!