Till the Last Breath

Does God ever stop using us? The answer could be yes or no. I thought about this question last week while visiting my mother at the care facility where she lives—winding our way through the hallways during our routine walk, my eye caught an elderly gentleman seated at a table in the dining area with a Bible open, and residents sitting around the table. They were listening intently. My immediate thought was how nice it was for someone to come to the center and provide Bible study for the patients. My thoughts were interrupted when my mother replied, " He is a resident here." The image of people sitting around the table in the dining hall, with him leading them in studying God's word, is an image I do not think I will ever forget. I am sure that some of those people and others who were not present have no one to feed their spiritual needs, but the takeaway was this: We are never too old to be used by God. We only need breath and willingness to surrender to whatever He calls us to do.

I guess the question is, what has God called you to do in your sphere of influence? Think about this question and be careful not to allow the enemy's quiet but persistent chatter that you are not worthy to do that to which He has called you. Maybe he will say, " Give that idea up!" "Remember when you said__________ or did_______________" Any one of us could fill in one or both of these blanks with a million or more different accusations, some that we hold deep regrets for until this very day. Still, the truth of the matter is regardless of our shortcomings, less-than-perfect decisions, or even our downright rebelliousness, God can still use us to accomplish His work. Even more than God using His people, the pages of scripture reveal to us that God can use anyone, anywhere, anytime, to achieve his purpose. Moses had an anger issue and a speech impairment, David had a roving eye, Elijah lost his confidence, Peter denied Jesus multiple times, and his very best friends, the disciples, minus John, let him down. Even the most faithful did not always measure up to perfection. Yet, each of these and so many more were able to be used by God because of one simple thing: willingness, and so are we, even until our very last breath.

As imperfect people, young and old, we are called to carry out His perfect plan.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

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