turning on 23

Its seems the popular school of thought that with each age we celebrate, we gradually start to feel that our best days are behind us and we are becoming less able or useful in terms of doing something important with our precious lives.

sometimes i think like this....it is a horrible lie. i have been guilty of being lured into this world view but i now want to actively unpick why firstly this kind of thinking is wrong and secondly why it steals the relationship we can have with God.

its so important to live like the best days are still to be had, if God's promises are true (and i believe they are) then when he says this

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

then He means this continually. for example if you read it a year ago and read it again today, God still has this great plan for you, a great changing but equally as exciting plan. a plan we are made to carry out perfectly. in relationship with Jesus is how we can find that path. its not like Hes forcing us to take that route, its our choice. we can choose to grow in His vine and produce fruit or to be a twig on the floor going nowhere without Him. what God has in store for us is not just a one off job and your done. He always has a plan for us and we are made new every day to give it a fresh bash.. so we never need to feel like we cant achieve it. the path is Jesus, He said he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. thats how you know how to get there, its holding Jesus's hand there, and that is also how we know we are capable, it's letting Jesus do what we cannot.

one more thing to add is that sometimes we see the massive achievement in our mind about what we want to do in our lives. however the big plan is realized when we just walk with God. Thats the greatest and most fulfilling use of our time on this earth. sure if we are walking with Jesus then we will want to do good and epic things to bless people, but it is vital to rememeber all we are calld to do is to firstly love our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.

Johnny cash released an album in his later years, after a lengthy career all his life (presumably completing his big mission) and after being away from the charts and making big hits, you might think he was past it. however agruably his most moving work came just before his death with his last album,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

what he sang from at this point in his life was hard earned experience which renders his singing and songs so poignant and moving. had he not had those years, could have sung with such conviction? would it have been so powerfull

ageing is beautiful. people moan about growing a year older. i am excited. the alternative to growing a year older is heartbreaking..literally. so i will embrace my days and thank God for them. i am not past anything out of what God has in store for me.

can i trust Him? Yes, and i will.