Feel Like You Bypassed Your Purpose? God’s Still Writing Your Story

Lately, I’ve been rekindling an old creative passion by pursuing new challenges related to it. But I’ve been wondering if I’m too old to try something new. I’m 36, and I’ve spent the better part of the last 18 years getting degrees and establishing my career as a teacher. In addition to this, as a wife and a mother, there is nothing left of me to give at the end of the day.

However, things have been changing. My daughter is now older, my career is steady, and I have a longing, a calling, to pour out more of myself for God. But I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I’m too old to explore new paths, too old to start from scratch and revive old passions. I need to just stay the course and not veer off the established path… right?

Your Purpose, God’s Timing

 Wrong. God uses us in His time and not based on our own notions of timing. The prophet Joshua was around 60 years old when the Lord raised him up as the leader of Israel. Joshua assisted Moses most of his life—waiting in the wings, if you will. When God called him to lead the people of Israel into the promised land, I can only imagine that Joshua may have wondered what God was thinking.

At 60, he was well beyond his prime, nearing what our society would view as retirement age. But God called him, equipped him, and was faithful to him. Through Joshua, God conquered the Holy Land for His chosen people because, “he wholly followed the Lord, God of Israel” (Joshua 14:14b ESV).

God uses us in His time and not based on our own notions of timing.

 In contrast, Timothy may have been considered too young for his role as a church leader in the days of the early church. He was called to be a disciple of Paul and eventually to be Paul’s representative in the churches of Corinth and Ephesus. We know that Timothy’s age was likely a concern for some because Paul told him, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV). Timothy was young, yet God chose to elevate him to leadership anyway, calling him and qualifying him through a relationship with his savior.

Age Is Irrelevant

Clearly, it doesn’t matter to God whether we are old or young. He can even use little children and the elderly to accomplish His will in this world. Rather than think about my age, I need to think about God’s guidance and whether I am heeding His call.

God’s timing is perfect, so I can’t dwell on time not used in the past for creative pursuits. God used me then for His purposes. He uses me now, and will use me again in the future for His glory. So, instead of pondering if I have waited too long or if it is too soon, I need to ask myself the more important question: Am I wholly following the Lord?

God Is Still Writing Your Story

Right now, that means using the extra time and mental space to pour myself into my creative calling. Starting slow and building it into my life—quietly, intentionally. I’m learning daily how to serve and glorify God in this new way by seeking out information and Godly mentorship.

Most importantly, I am learning to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you ” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

If you also find yourself at a crossroad in your own path—perhaps wondering whether you are too old or too young to take on a new challenge for God—I encourage you to to trust that he is still writing your story: Pray without ceasing, seek His guidance, pour yourself out for Him, and ask the same question I’ve been learning to ask: “Am I wholly following the Lord?”

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Looking for more ways to wholly follow the Lord?  Click here to read another story about submitting to Him and trusting His plan for you!