The problem with getting older

Pastor Mike Novotny

Now that I’m 40, the devil loves to use my experiences, hard-won wisdom, and lessons learned to convince me that I don’t need to pray.

Here’s an example—A couple is on my calendar for marital counseling. But after hundreds of such meetings, I can probably guess the issues that are wrecking their intimacy and, in addition, I already have a few classic Bible passages to turn to. Therefore, I just go about my day, writing sermons and returning emails until the second the couple knocks on the door. I don’t need to pray for wisdom or the right words. After thousands of hours of experience, I got this.

See what I mean? Getting older can be spiritually dangerous. After caring for so many patients, teaching so many classes, writing so many emails, attending so many funerals, you got this.

But without God, you and I don’t got this. We need his strength and his Spirit every day in order to avoid a disastrous word that we can’t take back or a decision that will come with consequences. Perhaps this is why Jesus taught us to remain as helpless and dependent as little children. “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

No matter how long it’s been since your baptism, remember how much you need God. And, even better, remember God is always willing to listen and to answer your humble prayers. That’s the promise Jesus gave after he made you God’s dear child.

Devotional used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit www.timeofgrace.org