Feeling Inspired or Expired?

Feeling inspired or expired? Which word best describes how you feel about your midlife and beyond years?

We’re used to everything having an expiration date these days. Even a sealed bottle of pure water has a date when it expires!

A close friend told me recently his mother-in-law asked for prayer that God would take her home. She did not see any value to her life. If we’re not careful, we can feel labeled with an expiration date too.

The exact opposite is the case if we ask for God’s opinion on the matter. He repeatedly expresses how deeply He loves us. He also has a long list of plans that we are uniquely gifted to accomplish. Here are two verses that state this:

• The Lord will accomplish what concerns me… (Ps. 138:8).
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).

I recognize that we often need help to see the value of our later years which are discounted by today’s culture.

Here are three further reasons why there is no expiration date on your life:

1. God created you. You are made in His image and carry inestimable value. Some of that value can feel tarnished, but it is still priceless to God. “And God created man in His own image…and blessed them…” (Gen. 1:27-28).
2. God chose you. You have amazing purposes to fulfill which God reveals over time. Divine assignments have been issued to you from the throne of heaven that are exclusive to your life. “…I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16).
3. God holds you to the end. God is using you right up until your last breath is taken on the earth. Some of His most important work will occur during your later years. There are many examples of this in Scripture (e.g. Abraham, Moses, Simeon, Anna). “…You have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Ps. 73:23-24).

The midlife and beyond years can be the season of your greatest influence for the Lord. You may need to adjust your current mindset to believe this. It is definitely possible to have a multi-generational impact and leave a lasting legacy to those whom God has placed in your life.

Given what has been said, how would you respond to the question, “Do you feel inspired or expired in your later years?”

I hope you answered, “There’s no expiration date on my life! God has much more for me to do!”