Why Christians need not dread getting older - Greg Laurie - http://www.wnd.com/2014/09/why-christians-need-not-dread-getting-older/
Pastor Greg Laurie emphasizes deeper, sweeter nature of life when one follows Christ
I think we would all agree that we live in a youth-obsessed culture today. We are absolutely focused on what youth are thinking and what youth are doing. Even some of those who have been around for a while, like my generation, still think they are young. The anthem of my generation, the baby boomers, was "Forever Young." But we can't sing that anymore.
It's funny how we look at age as we get older. When you ask a child how old she is, the answer usually will be along the lines of "3 and a half." That half is very important to a child. Kids in their preteen years will tell you, "I am going to be 16," even though they may be 13 or 14 at the time. Then adulthood arrives, and it is very official. You become 21. Then you turn 30. Next, you are pushing 40. Then you reach 50, and you make it to 60. You hit 70 and then your 80s, when it becomes a day-by-day thing. You hit Wednesday. When you are in your 90s, you hit lunch. If you make it to 100 and someone asks how old you are, you might say, "Well, I'm 100 and a half." You start over again.
When Billy Graham was asked what had been the greatest surprise of his life, his answer was, "The brevity of it." I think that as you get older, you really start seeing the truth of this. When you are young, time seems to move so slowly. But as you get older, the years fly by. What? It's Christmas again?
Christians do not have to dread the passing of time, however. We do not have to dread getting older, because if we have made the right choices and have walked with God, then we can know that no matter what we are facing, the best is yet to come.
That is what we see in the first miracle of Jesus, which took place at a wedding. His first miracle showed us something of great significance. It showed that he had amazing power. Jesus had, at his immediate disposal, unlimited power to do anything He chose. He could supply the deficiencies of earthly resources. At a moment's notice, Christ could meet the needs of man.
Isn't that good to know? When things come our way and we wonder, What am I going to do? How am I going to resolve this?, when the boss calls you into his office and tells you that your job has been downsized, when that unexpected bill comes, when your spouse wants out of the marriage, when that loved one unexpectedly dies, when the doctor says you have cancer, it is good to remember that we face an awesome God who has unlimited power. He can change our circumstances. He can do whatever he needs to do.
Jesus was a guest at a wedding, where they ran out of wine (which would have been an embarrassment). Mary was there, so she spoke to her son. But Jesus gave an unexpected response: "What does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4 NLT). Why did he say that? Why did he take this posture with Mary? He was effectively saying, "With all due respect, I am on a timetable here. I am doing the work of my Father."
What was this hour that Jesus was talking about? It was the hour of his death, resurrection and ascension. It was the hour when his earthly ministry would be completed. It was the hour when he would take upon himself the sins of the world and would be tortured, humiliated and murdered by way of the barbaric act of crucifixion.
He was saying, "Mary, it is not time. When my hour has come, I will do what needs to be done."
Sometimes we come to God and say, "Lord, do this thing for me now. When are You going to act?" Maybe we see a corrupt person succeeding. Maybe we see things happening that are not right. Or maybe someone is saying things that are unkind or untrue or even vicious about us. We say, "God, when are You going to do something?"
Essentially, God says, "I am going to do what I am going to do when the time is right. Your problem will be solved. The provision will be made. But the hour has not yet come."
Notice the response of Mary, which were her last recorded words in the Scriptures. She said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:5 NKJV). So Jesus instructed the servants to fill six stone pots, which held 20 or 30 gallons apiece, with water. When the master of ceremonies tasted what had been drawn out of the pots, he said to the groom, "A host always serves the best wine first. Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" (verse 10 NLT). God always saves the best for last.
On the other hand, sin can appear so appealing at first. Remember Eve in the Garden of Eden? Genesis 3:6 says that "she saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it." There is an initial attractiveness to sin. But then it kicks you to the curb. That is how sin works. And generation after generation lines up and goes down this same primrose path.
I've been a Christian for more than 40 years now. Did I miss anything by becoming a believer at such a young age? Yes, I missed some parties. I missed some experiences. But as I look at the toll those things have taken on people of my age group over the years, I realize that I didn't really miss anything. For me, life has only gotten better - not easier, less complicated, or more trouble free, but definitely better, sweeter, richer, deeper and more satisfying. Every day, every month, every year of walking with Jesus gets better and better.
For the Christian, the best is yet to come.
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