Expired

My Dad believes in keeping things beyond their ‘use by’ date if he feels they still have some use or effectiveness. When staying with him last week I was looking for some mentholated chest rub and grabbed a small jar from the bathroom cupboard. It was quickly returned however, when I read that the contents had reached their ‘use by’ date in 1996 – that’s 12 years ago!

Companies decide how long their product will be useful for and they set the expiry date accordingly. It’s very refreshing to know that our Heavenly Father doesn’t set any ‘use by’ dates on our effectiveness. No matter how young or how old you are, whether you are sick or tired, burnt out or worn out, single or married, have teenagers, toddlers or are unable to have children, He can and will work through you and accomplish His purposes through you.

Paul sought to encourage Timothy with these words:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12)
Our ‘brand’ as Christians is sure because we have the Holy Spirit as our seal, but our usefulness depends on our submission to Jesus Christ, our being continually renewed by the Spirit, and then living out our faith for others to see.

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim 4:7-8)

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4:15-16)

Read through 1 Timothy Chapter 4, remember God doesn’t have ‘use by’ dates, and as you submit to Him, wait and see how He will use you in your life and community.

This piece was posted at Faith Lifts! You'll find me writing there every fortnight :)




By the way... here is my latest installment in my quest for the ultimate soaring eagle shot (scroll right to the bottom of the webpage to see more). This one is a wedge tailed eagle. He was too far away to get great detail, but now I know where he lives! ;)