Because I recently achieved one of those milestone birthdays, I meditated and prayed about God’s will for me in this new season of life.
The answer came as a whisper to “Check out Psalm 92.” Within the Psalmist’s words, I found a description of what I want to be and do in the years to come.
Of course, only God knows the extent of my timeline and the eventual plan he has for me.
But the Psalmist recorded some practical and wise advice that I plan to journal through and cache within my goal-setting process.
- Flourish in the courts of our God
Whatever I do and wherever I am, I hope to flourish – to do my work with simple trust and hearty obedience, to finish well and make a difference in the Kingdom.
- Grow in grace and bear fruit in old age
Jesus didn’t face old age, so we don’t have a divine model. But we can look at examples from Scripture to find out how to grow old with grace.
Noah accepted new assignments even when they seemed improbable and a bit crazy; i.e. building a boat while rain was just a weird unknown.
Elizabeth trusted God for the impossible and discerned how he was working in the world she inhabited; i.e. she mentored the mother of Jesus and trusted that her own womb bore God’s messenger.
John wrote the words that would encourage and inspire believers for centuries. Did he realize that one of the greatest hooks of all time would come from his pen? “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was from God and the Word was God.”
- Be full of spiritual vitality
I want to be so filled with the Spirit and emptied of myself that the love and compassion of Christ precedes me into each room. I want my eyes to portray love and my voice to echo with the truth in a way that draws people to its life-giving source.
- Rich in trust, love and contentment
I don’t want to be a saint who spends time griping about my aches and pains or the state of the country or the problems of younger generations. I want to be an example of what life-long trust in the God of the universe means – sharing his love while grateful for the breath of each day.
- A living memorial to show that he is upright and faithful
The memorials of Lincoln and Jefferson focus on the words and grand living of these statesmen. How much greater and a broader goal to be a living memorial of who God is and how he is faithful to every promise.
Psalm 92:13-15 contains the rich truth and goal-setting ideas I can hang my hat on. As I march into this next season of life, even as the birthday ice cream slowly crystallizes in the freezer, I want this to be a fulfilling time of joy – while processing through whatever God desires for me.
He knew me before he made the world, what he planned for me, the good works he prepared for me to do. May that plan be exactly what happens and may it result in hope.
©2015 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G Books http://www.crossrivermedia.com/portfolio/1624/gallery/fiction/
Your words are full of wisdom, Rebecca. I pray that in the years to come, Psalm 92 will live and breathe through your life. By the way, was the birthday ice cream chunky monkey?
Thanks, Jane. Appreciate your prayers for the journey. No chunky monkey. I found black raspberry gelato with chocolate chips at Target and convinced myself that it must be healthy!
As always, a beautiful reminder. I will put this one in my archives to retrieve periodically as a reminder of how I want to live my life. Thanks, Rebecca
blessings bea
>
Thanks, Bea. Perhaps we can keep each other accountable !
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
Thanks for this encouragement and for your faithful prayers, SuZan!
What great reminders and aspirations. The supernatural to be fleshed out through the natural. Ancient realities made incarnational through his servants, his children. Us! Thanks for a great post.
Thanks to you as well, Jerry, for the comment. Onward and forward!
This is so inspiring and encouraging and it does really give us hope.Thank you for your writings they are always an encouragement. BLESSINGS
Thank you, Tom. I’m so glad to know my words are an encouragement to you – one of my lifetime goals!
Beautifully written! I am encouraged, challenged, and inspired by your goals…want to adopt them as well! Especially being full of spiritual vitality! thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Cindy. I think Moses is our model. He was healthy and full of vigor to the very end.