Lamentations 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (ESV)

In May, five new members of our family arrived. Five baby pygmy goats tumbled out of their travelling crates and into our corral. As they did so, we all wondered how Agnes, our ancient, eleven-year-old goat, would react to these rambunctious kids. Eleven years for a goat is like ninety for a human.

To our delight, Agnes stepped up to the plate. As she tentatively walked over to inspect them, the kids recognized her as one of their own. From then on, she became their new mother. They now follow her everywhere, looking to her for guidance and respecting the boundaries that she sets for them. During rest periods, the babies troop into the goathouse and lie on the far side, while Agnes lies down on the entrance side to protect them. She bends the young poplar trees down so that they can munch the succulent leaves. She has not only risen to this unexpected challenge in her advanced years, but by so doing, she has also found a new lease on life as she busily and energetically cares for her foster children.

Just as we called Agnes into a new situation, similarly, at the most unexpected times, God has a habit of calling people into situations that challenge them to take up new responsibilities that they feel ill-equipped to handle for any number of reasons, not just age.

Sarah, Abraham, Elizabeth, and Zechariah were all called to parent children at an advanced age. Mary was called to accept the Son of God into her womb though she was a virgin, and her fiancé Joseph was called to be father to this child who was not his own. Elderly Moses was commissioned to lead a nation from slavery to an unknown land. Gideon, who was from the smallest clan in Israel and the least important member of his family, was named commander of a very small army to defeat the Midianites, a ferocious, mighty enemy. However, when Gideon questioned God, "the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'" (Judges 6:14 NIV)

The Lord's response says it all. Go in the strength that you have. Take what you do have and go. Why? Because if God is sending us, we can each be assured that as we offer up to Him the strength that we do have, He will ensure that it is enough for us not only to be successful, but also unexpectedly to find a brand-new lease on life. After all, look at how things turned out for Sarah, Abraham, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Moses, Gideon, and so many other biblical heroes who trusted, obeyed, and went.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that when You call us to go, we can proceed in confidence and strength, knowing that You go with us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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