The 'Late' Gift

Genesis 18:9-14

And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.



The 'Late' Gift


Have you every received a late gift? Maybe it's the card with money that got to you a week or two after your birthday. Maybe it's a Christmas present you get in February. Maybe it's this email (sorry it's late).

Sometimes those late gifts can feel a little silly. But, tell me, have you ever refused the gift just because it was late? Was it any less appreciated? Was the gift any less sweet or the giver any less precious to you? Probably not.

The Bible has many lessons about getting gifts 'out of season'. I particularly like the ones taught by the 'old moms.' These are women in the scriptures who get children well into their senior years like Sarah, Rebekah, Elizabeth and so many others. In each case, the 'time of women' had passed and yet they all found themseleves the moms of infants at a time when by world standards they should have been attending grandchildren if not great-grandchildren.

But, we have to realize that God is not restricted to our definition of time. If He brings the harvest, then the fruit is in season.

At our church, we have a program called the AdAM Project. AdAM stands for Adopt A Mind. The goal of the program is to sow into the passions of young people by encouraging them to follow after and develop the gifts and talents God has put into them. This way, they can, in turn sow those gifts back into the Kingdom of God.

But these old moms remind me that growing and nurturing passions isn't just for the young.

Age, as Sarah learned, cannot limit God. Some of us who are a bit passed our prime have yet to birth those passions that are still within us. The good news, dear one, is that it isn't too late. As a matter of fact, you may just be coming into season.

We may think we've let too much time get by for us to get our degrees...or to write that great novel...or to learn how to paint...but, is there anything too difficult for God?

No matter what the calendar says, open your heart to the Lord and let Him decide what is and isn't in season for you. Don't deny the gifts that are in you, but instead make them available for the Master's use.

You might find yourself an 'old mom' or an 'old dad' of a brand new passion that literally changes the direction for your life.

Luke 1:36-37

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hat also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.


Peace!
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson


Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.


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Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor