Trust God, Love People: A 5-Day Reading Planনমুনা

For a Purpose

“Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh.” Exodus 7:7

As I read these words this morning, I'm struck by how seemingly insignificant this sentence seems, merely listing the ages of Moses and Aaron. Yet, I believe every word of Scripture is God-breathed and written down for a purpose, so what might this detail have to teach us?

It brings to mind three distinct conversations I’ve had over the past 48 hours: a friend in her early thirties, one in her mid-forties, and one in her late fifties – all stepping out in faith. The circumstances are varied but they all share a common thread: God is asking them to do a new thing and they are listening. For some reason, the only one who is confidently stepping forward without hesitation is the one in her thirties. The other two feel silly or like their time has passed.

This is not okay.

Our society tells us that we aren’t wise enough to be listened to when we are young and then we need to step quietly out of the way as we age because we have had our chance and God couldn’t possibly choose to use us now.

That is a lie.

God has a good plan for each of our lives. And, sometimes, He anoints us with our calling when we are teenagers, like David. Other times, He waits until we are eighty years old, like Moses.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today but please remember this: you are not unqualified because you’re “too young” and you are not counted out because “you’re too old.” Keep on running your race well because you are here – living and breathing, right now, this very day, at this exact point in history – for a purpose.