We’ve seen how Deborah in the Book of Judges rescued the children of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanites by her leadership. Over this Pentecost series, we have seen how many Bible women and men lived their lives of faith. We have seen how each of them was fallible and yet loved by God. They, like us, struggled to make sense of the events in their lives—both personally and in the world of their time. Each of them met life's challenges with faith, however faltering.
Their witness across the centuries can inspire us to live
closer to God.
In the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah we see that God uses
our talents no matter what our age is, and that our core ministry of living the
Love of God doesn’t change, even if the appearance does.
Abraham and Sarah offer the hope of new birth in our lives
and ministry, even when we are physically old. They discovered that God’s
promise is always true.
The dysfunction of the family of Jacob, Leah and Rachel can
help us look beyond comparisons and differences to find common ground.
The relationship of Naomi and Ruth teaches us that our
seemingly insignificant decisions and actions can have ripple effects far
beyond what we might imagine.
Simeon and Anna’s long wait for Messiah can inspire us in
our darkest and loneliest times of waiting. Even if it doesn’t feel like it,
God is acting.
The failings and sins of David and Bathsheba offer
encouragement for our lives because despite their flaws, God loved the couple
and blessed them.
Deborah, as we have seen, offers courage to those who might
hesitate to take a stand against evil, violence, division, oppression or any
other action that is counter to the Love of God.
Psalm 71 offers the reminder that God holds us at all ages. As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—…Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
How might you and I respond to the witness of these men and
women?
Is there a way you can share this encouragement with others
of all ages?
I have been doing this blog for nearly 20 years. A lot has
changed in the world, and in my life and ministry over that time. God has
called me to write over a dozen books, to present retreats, and to take the
leadership of some women’s ministries. I have retired from my ‘day job’.
Grandchildren have blessed my life and surprisingly, they are almost all adults
themselves, now. In some ways, I am not the same woman I was two decades ago
when I started this blog as a way to share what I hoped were helpful prayer and
worship practices drawn from many diverse resources. My first series was about
Spiritual Scrapbooking—a fun practice, but one that is not as popular anymore. God
has worked in my soul as I’ve written these posts and made me aware of my own
failing and privileges. A priest once told me that the sermon he preached was
the one he needed to hear. I think that has been true of these posts. I hope
they have inspired someone in the wider world, too.
All this is to say, I will not be doing an Advent series
this year. Whether I resume posting, on a monthly basis, in 2026 is still in
God’s hands. This Pentecost series about some of the older and less known men
and women of the Bible has assured me that age is no barrier to what God has in
store for each of us. I trust that there is something God is preparing me for
and I wait to see what that may be.
