Too Old?

Too Old?

Sunday past, our guest speaker, the National Director of OMF-NZ, invited us to consider how we are involved in missions. And, in his plea, he questioned what our roadblocks might be.  

Our Mark 10 text listed wealth as one potential roadblock. But Jesus' interactions with the young man and the disciples demonstrated the real issue as being the affection of our hearts.

One thought from Johan's sermon delighted me. It was about our age.  Might age be a roadblock to following Jesus?  Might age block us from participating in his mission?

We might think it good to send youth on service trips. We are aware that young adults have more energy to handle short-term mission outings.  Perhaps those middle-age folk can manage to find the time to be a support person on the field somewhere.  But old people?  Nah. Sharing Jesus or serving on the mission field is the work of the younger generations. Really?

OMF primarily supports mission work in the East. And what did we learn about the East? Age is respected. Wisdom is valued. The elderly have a place. 

I love how Jesus' interaction with the young ruler and his discussion with his disciples brought out the truth that nobody is too old to be part of God's mission.  In fact, Jesus might just be asking us to lay down age as a roadblock-idol to free us up to join him in getting involved in missions.

What do you think? Are you too old? Too young? Too settled? Too transient? Too wealthy? Too poor? Is Jesus having a gander at your roadblocks and asking, “Would you like to be free of them to join me in greater things?”

Peace,

Kelly