Not too old after all

"Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh." Exodus 7:7 NLT

Wow, Moses was an old guy - and so was his brother - by the time God called them to lead the people. They had the power and authority of old people, too. They knew who their God was, after many experiences and challenges. They probably knew what they were and weren't capable of... yet God overrode those expectations by giving them stamina for the drudgery of travel and doing incredible miracles through them.

Though Moses objected to his stuttering, he never complained that he was too old for leadership. In today's culture, where senior leaders (even in churches) discard experienced staff for young'uns "who get it," we could learn a lot from God's choice.

God did not seek out a hot youngster with the energy and drive to ride the trends and think "out of the box." The slaves were headed into the desert, for crying out loud. Wouldn't a creative thinker have been great? The Israelites might have had better success with someone who could figure out a direct route across the hot sands! Instead, God chose a seasoned man with past failures that had disqualified him for leadership, a quick temper, a world-class education, and the patience to herd sheep for 40 years.

Caleb and Joshua were not yet ready to take the helm when Moses took the ship's wheel. It would also take them 40 years to understand God's heart, to be proven faithful, and to fight battles that scarred and toughened them and set their faces forward for war and peace.

While you've been beating the bushes for Joshua and Caleb, who's been sitting in your ranks, wise and knowledgeable, waiting to be called to lead the pack?

Is she or he as trustworthy as Moses, unafraid to mentor the next generation through their own growing seasons so they are ready for serious responsibilities?

Maybe we're the ones, looking around and saying, "Hey, are you sure, God? I feel I'm past my prime and no one will listen to me. I'm too old for this. My energy is waning. My memory is going..."

When God says, "Get up. GO! NOW! I AM with you," will we follow him, so that he can lead others through us?

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, 

but if you want to test a man's character, 

give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others; 

it is the only thing." - Albert Schweitzer