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,
proclaiming, "the Lord
is upright; He is my Rock ..."
- Psalm 92:12-15 -
What could be more serendipitous than quietly reading a Psalm out loud and stumbling across a verse you never noticed before, sacred words that somehow seemed tailor made for who you are, where you are, in the here and now.
For those of us who haven't exactly embraced the reality that we have slowly but surely entered into the second half of our earthbound life, this passage gives us a sacred perspective, a grand calling. A jolt of possibility, of potential, of hope!
For as the righteous mature, God has not destined us to languish. We have been designed to flourish, blossom, bloom. And by His grace, as we age, we won't become brittle and half-dead, uselessly withering on some unnoticed vine, endlessly preoccupied by our flagging health or wringing our hands over future unknowns.
We are shaped for continued Christ-honoring purpose and faithful, fruitful ministry.
Yes, the venues and energy levels and methods may alter over time, but here we are, 'fresh and green,' the Psalmist declares. Vibrant and effective in living out our giftedness, our calling, our passion for serving the One who created us in the first place.
And maybe even more so after a long season of being pruned to the nubs and dormant in isolation. For truth be told, in the midst of trial the aging roots experienced redemption, as they stayed busy soaking up spiritual consolation and sustenance and wisdom. Ready to roll as the sun slowly emerged and we came to life once again.
This is a sacred serendipity.
Praise be ~
Linda
One Word 2021
Linda, I appreciate you sharing your word, serendipity and the insights you have gained, "We are shaped for continued Christ-honoring purpose and faithful, fruitful ministry." Amen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting our conversation, Lisa. I'm glad you're here!
DeleteLove these encouraging verses, Linda. May I flourish and bear fruit in the late third quarter of my life, that would be my prayer.
ReplyDeleteThe late third quarter?
DeleteI thought you were decades younger!
;-}
I'll never have white hair of age,
ReplyDeletenever ever will grow old,
never skin like parchment-page,
but I am blessed, or so I'm told
to need not take stock of my life,
looking through old album-pictures;
like Ulysses, matched with an aged wife
who gives up freedom for more strictures.
No, I'll leave this mortal coil,
a shining meteor of cancer
and will not find in dying toil
for it shows the final answer
not found in any Hallmark movie:
to live is Christ, to die is groovy.
You're right, Andrew ... this is no Hallmark movie.
DeleteHe knows the end of the story, doesn't He.
Thank you, Andrew. Always love what you write. Many of us are walking similar paths. And yes, we don’t know know the end of the story, but I am grateful for each day!
DeleteYou're an encourager!
DeleteThanks for the chuckle, Andrew: "To die is groovy!" Love that positivity with a twist of humor!
DeletePruned to the nubs is hysterical. Not sure if it should make me cry or rejoice for new growth? I need to ponder that awhile..
ReplyDeleteFYI it is Psalm 92. Uh oh typo or older eyesight?
Cry first, then grow.
DeleteI think. Or I guess you can do both at the same time.
Yes, my eagle-eyed friend, a typo it was.
* sigh *
;-}
We can always stay young at heart when we are nourished by the Lord, Linda, because with time, our roots have grown stronger in Him. I'm reminded of that Ensure commercial where the older woman say, "Age is just a number, and mine's unlisted." Yep! That just about sums it up.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
It makes me smile that we were visiting each other at the exact same time this evening, friend!
DeleteRest well ... you guys are in my prayers.
And yes, let's hear it for unlisted numbers!
Those birds look like they have been coloured by a child who could not decide which colouring pencil to use.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Or ... by the Master Designer!
Delete;-}
Scribbled the reference into my calendar near my birthday...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
A brilliant idea, Michele. I'm off to do the same ...
DeletePraise God we never outlive our usefulness in God's kingdom! Thank you for this positive word, Linda.
ReplyDeleteLet's keep encouraging each other as we begin to roll up our sleeves again!
DeleteThose verses have been a blessing to me, too, as I realize I have more time behind me that ahead of me. It's such a encouragement to know that God can still use me, even though I'm not able to do what I once did.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, hi! Your thoughts remind me that I've had to consciously choose to release my past ministry identity so I could hold my hands open for the next work God has in store. Repeatedly.
DeleteI've found this process quite challenging to say the least. A good reminder that our identity is in Him alone.
I have had the same experience. I heard this verse you mentioned: They will still bear fruit in old age,
ReplyDeletethey will stay fresh and green,
and had to look it up on my own, swearing I never heard it before. Isn't this a great promise and purpose!
I absolutely agree. How many times have I read the Psalms and never noticed this verse before.
DeleteMaybe because I wasn't thinking about 'old age' during those years?!
What a wonderfully encouraging post, Linda! Yes!!! Even though we may have lived over half of our lives, we still can flourish. I love it when a verse that I have read over dozens of times suddenly comes to life!
ReplyDeleteYep, for sure. It's like finding gold!
DeleteI love how God is using serendipity in your life, Linda, and thus in ours! I appreciate you sharing this verse, and this encouragement because I need to hear it (I'm in that latter half of life too): "And by His grace, as we age, we won't become brittle and half-dead, uselessly withering on some unnoticed vine, endlessly preoccupied by our flagging health or wringing our hands over future unknowns. We are shaped for continued Christ-honoring purpose and faithful, fruitful ministry."
ReplyDeleteI want to feel "fresh and green" too. :)
I agree, we need to hear what is true about us in this season of life ... and see ourselves through the eyes of Christ, not our culture.
DeleteAmen.
I love when a “new” verse pops out and I feel it was written “ just for me “. Gail
ReplyDeleteI love how the Holy Spirit gives us this experience, yes!
DeleteI love that verse Linda, it's so encouraging & true at our time of life!
ReplyDeleteYou're always welcome to join me in a cuppa at Tea With Jennifer,
Bless you,
Jennifer
Let's make it iced tea, ok, Jennifer?!
Delete;-}
I’m so glad you chose a word this year, Linda, and that it was “serendipity.” I don’t know that I’ve ever noticed the “fresh and green” part of this verse either. It’s comforting to remember as I anticipate a hearing evaluation this week and the possibility of hearing aids a full 20 years before the “average” person gets them (if there is such a thing as an average person). God gives us enough days (and strength) to do the work He has for us, and I’m so glad “too old” or “too weak” don’t disqualify us as he hands out assignments. Hugs, friend.
ReplyDeleteI hear that this is unsettling for you, Lois. I'm praying right now for complete peace and a gentle confidence that all will be well ... with or without hearing aids.
Delete