THE BEST IS YET TO COME

We are never too old to set new goals or dreams.

                                                                         

What’s so fascinating and attractive about living up to a ripe old age?

Firstly, it would mean more opportunities to serve God. Don’t we find delight in seeing God’s plan for our lives unfold in all its fullness? There is no greater thrill than to claim the fullness of God’s inheritance—to possess the Promised Land that He has meant for us.   http://bit.ly/1dNQSbc

 Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) was one of the greatest Scottish preachers. Though he lived only up to the age of 30, he made tremendous impact through his preaching and writings. Imagine the impact he would have made had he lived up to 70—it would have been even greater. http://bit.ly/17MLe5I

                                                                             

Bob Buford, author of Half Time, believes that in the second half of our life, we should be moving from success to significance. Armed with wisdom, experience, skill and training acquired through the years, retirees can contribute much to the home, church and community. Many would have attained financial stability and thus have the financial resources to help others. All these factors plus God’s empowerment enable seniors to lead fulfilling lives with eternal significance. http://bit.ly/16Z6s0r

                                                                                
Living to a ripe old age gives us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. We can set out to disprove the adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” We can learn new skills such as public speaking, writing and blogging and impact many lives.

Secondly, with long life we get to see our grandchildren (or great grandchildren). Don’t we long to hear the pitter patter of little feet? I’m sure we’d want to experience the joy of playing with them and witness them growing up. And, as their mentors, the values and wisdom that we impart to them will certainly stand them in good stead later in life.

Thirdly, longevity enables us to rediscover the meaning of love, inner strength and patience. As we grow old gracefully with our spouses, we learn to support one another spiritually, emotionally and physically. As the children would have been independent by then, we get unparalleled freedom to travel and explore the world around us—as long as our health and finances permit. 

Furthermore, we can spend unhurried moments pursuing our hobbies or chilling out with our friends over high tea. “What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?” 

                                                                           

The apostle Paul has a positive attitude towards life and death: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21-24).

Paul’s goal is that Christ be exalted in his life, whether by life or death (Philippians 1:21). And how much he can give to others depends on the number of years he has been allotted on earth.

We should not be fearful of death should our lives be suddenly cut short because we believe in the resurrection. As Jesus proclaimed in John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Indeed, the Christian who walks closely with God need not fear death: “O death, where is thy sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55).

On the other hand, we should be positive about longevity for it affords ample opportunities to glorify God. If we have been allotted three score and ten years (or more), then we should make full use of it. Carpe diem! The best is yet to come!

 
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
 They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green.

(Psalm 92:12-14)

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

(Proverbs 4:18)

                

RELATED POST        

   WHAT MAKES A HAPPY RETIREMENT?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlWi2LFz1pI

Why are some people happy about their retirement whereas others are not?

Here are seven possible reasons borne out by research:

• 1.       Engage in a purposeful activity for more than five hours a week.
• 2.       Retire at your own free will (not retrenched).
• 3.       Retire financially independent.
• 4.       Retire at 55 or younger.
• 5.       Having someone you can rely on for emotional support.
• 6.       Proactively maintaining your health.
• 7        Having received pre-retirement advice or having pre-retirement planning.                                                    

MEDICINE OR MIRACULOUS HEALING?

When we are confronted with sickness, what should be our approach?

A man with coronary artery disease went to a healing rally but was not healed. He still had severe, recurrent chest pain. But after undergoing open heart surgery, he showed remarkable improvement. On the other hand, a lady with advanced cancer––pronounced incurable by doctors––miraculously recovered through healing ministry.    *

Believers who are sick should avail themselves of miraculous healing:

• Affirm and declare by faith that God is pro-health: "I thank you that you are Jehovah Rapha (Exodus 15:26)—God our healer."

• Let the elders of the church pray for them (James 5:14).

• Seek to be ministered to by those endowed with the gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:28,30).

                                                                     

However, the sick need not shun or stop medical treatment as a demonstration of faith. Doctors treat but God heals. ‘Faith healers’ who insist that patients stop medical treatment––as a precondition for supernatural healing––may face litigation if death occurs. For example, a diabetic patient may slip into coma and die if drugs (or insulin injections) are suddenly stopped. Please check out: http://bit.ly/19pnl5I

Jesus certainly does not discount the role of doctors in treating diseases. Otherwise He would not have said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31). The apostle Luke was a doctor who followed Jesus in His healing ministry.

Rather, He seems to imply that doctors and practitioners of supernatural healing should happily coexist. Why can’t both camps work together and learn to respect each other? Let the infirm seek healing––be it from doctors or practitioners of supernatural healing––leaving the outcome to God. Let God be sovereign.

                                                                     

When we are sick or minister to those who are sick, what approach should we adopt?

• Remove hindrances to healing––unconfessed sin, unbelief.

• Seek miraculous healing and medical treatment. These options are not mutually exclusive.

• Wait upon God.

• Acknowledge His sovereignty. Commit the results to God.

• When miraculous healing does not occur, do not put the blame on the sick.

• Be open-minded about miraculous healing without medical intervention.

• Don’t try to figure it out––God’s ways are beyond us.

• His peace and presence will comfort us when all else fails.

Footnotes:

Healing was as much a part of Jesus’ ministry as preaching. Among those healed were lepers, paralytics and the blind. In the majority of cases, Jesus healed people without requiring faith on their part (Mark 6:56). Sometimes He performed few miracles because of their lack of faith. But, nevertheless, He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them (Mark 6:5).

God, being sovereign, does not heal always. And we cannot possibly fathom why some remain unhealed. Many disabled people gathered round the pool of Bethesda. But Jesus chose to demonstrate His healing virtue to one invalid (John 5:2-9). Please check out: http://bit.ly/19Q5bdA

Perhaps, those with healing gifts should bear this in mind rather than ascribe non-healing to unbelief on the part of the sick. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty reflects a healer’s humility; it does not detract from his reputation or anointing.

 *  In my 40 years as a believer and 30 years as a doctor, I have witnessed God healing people in different ways––with and without medical intervention. The two patients mentioned above are not hypothetical but documented cases.