The Best is Yet to Come!!

I read something in a book last week. I've read it before, this idea, but it never affected me the way it did this time. Maybe it's because I'm getting older but still as competitive as ever! But maybe it's not competitive but real. I think the later is actually true.

The book is called "Simple Church". Great read for Pastors and leaders. I highly recommend it. The author said that what keeps life and energy in a church is the constant new people that come to Jesus. I have always agreed with that. There is nothing like the passion of a person experiencing new life in Christ and the joy of being free. I love being around people who are living the joy of new found salvation. But something rang off key in my spirit this time.

I asked myself, "Why, if the more we know Jesus, the closer we get to Him and the more intimate we become with Him would we not have MORE life and energy and passion? If Jesus is love, joy, peace, life and all the rest, then why are the new followers the most full of life? Have we become like old dogs lying on the porch watching life go by when the puppies are romping all over the yard? I don't want to be an old dog! With God, my joy, my wisdom, my depth, my passion should INCREASE the older I get!"

Does this make sense to you? Yeah, I get all the ideas about newness and the thrill of being fresh into this new life and all of that. But God is infinite and an endless reservoir of wisdom, understanding, love and grace. It's not as if we love and enjoy Him but soon exhaust the supply that He is and reach the bottom of Him like some carton of favorite ice cream. He is a NEVER ENDING SUPPLY! His mercies are NEW every morning! He is doing a NEW thing! He is always fresh and creative and surprising! Why then do the newbees have all the joy????

This has inspired me. I have a freshness in my mind and spirit that is renewed. I know Him much more than when I did 34 years ago when I met Him. I know His Word much better now. I know His ways much better now. Do I know all? Are you kidding me? I have not even sipped one drop of the ocean of who God is and that is precisely the point!! He is BIG. He is limitless. He is full and no matter how long I've walked with Him there will always be something better, deeper, newer to find. He has something FRESH for me today! Of course He does. He's God!

I find myself so full of anticipation this morning. I am convinced of this one thing, older Christians should be the most joyful, the most passionate, the most worry-free, the most fearless, the most aggressive, the most daring, the most loving, the most peaceful, the most joyful people on the planet. Why? They're closer to God than they have ever been! I want to rewrite the books. I want the the book written about my church to say, "You want to bring life and joy and passion to your world? Make sure there are a bunch of gray haired, wrinkly, slightly paunchy, glasses wearing, hearing aid adjusting, knee creaking, back aching, older Christians around. They are the most passionate lovers of Jesus!"

The best is yet to come!!

In His grip,

Greg