Aging with Anticipation

     Let’s go back a few months before the manger scene. There would be one to go before Jesus into the world and he would also go before Jesus to prepare the way for His ministry. Who was it? Let’s visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. They share the spirit of anticipation. They join in the joy with Mary, as well as celebrating a miracle in their own lives.

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.  Luke 1:7

    They were unable to conceive. They were both very old. But God chose them. God chose them and He sends an angel to tell Zechariah the good news that is about to unfold. Gabriel is one busy angel!

But the angel said to him; “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.  He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth. Luke 1:13-14

   Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, all found favor with God. All devout in their faith. In fact, Zechariah and Elizabeth both fall in the line of priests. Elizabeth’s line dated back to Moses’ brother, Aaron. Joseph is in the line of King David, the line leading us to Jesus, the Christ. I want to find favor with our God. How about you? 

     God continues to use us as long as we walk the earth. Feeling a little used up, feet shuffling a bit, tired with age? Not in God’s vision of you. He sees that light shining from within, the ability to share His love with others. He hears the prayers. He understands your willingness to trust Him through it all, right up to your very last day on earth. He sees the value and the worth. He sees the important things in life. He sees the heart.

     Ask Moses, or Abraham, or Caleb, or the disciple John. Ask Billy Graham. Old age is nothing in God’s eyes. Ask my friends, Helen and Ruth, Phyllis and Connie. Ask John the Baptist's parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. Our faith becomes rooted a little deeper, our Godly wisdom sharpens with age. And one day an angel just may whisper in your ear, “it’s time now for a miracle. God has some good news for you.”

 Dear Jesus,

Help us to honor the aged, the wise, the wonderful elders in our midst. You have purpose for us each and every day for as long as we live. Give us a message of hope today. We are Your children. Find favor with us.

Amen