The Age Difference by Aretha Tatum

March 14, 2018 Letrise Carter Sistah's Inspiration & Empowerment 1

We often place limits on ourselves or others because of age. You are either too young or too old. It’s interesting how the time between the two appears to be very short. When we were young we couldn’t wait until we were eighteen or twenty-one. However, once we hit thirty, a mere nine years from twenty-one, some of us start to panic and measure success based on what we have accomplished in our lives. When forty arrives, many think that it is too late to do anything.

On the flip side, we assume because a person is young that they don’t have enough wisdom. How many people panic when they are treated by a young doctor? We assume that he or she can’t possibly know enough because of age. If I were to present a 35-year-old doctor and a 55-year-old doctor to a group of patients, most would pick the older doctor just because they assume he should know more.

God doesn’t look at age the way we do. It doesn’t matter to Him how much “time” we have been on earth. He has a plan for our lives and our age doesn’t make a difference. When you read the bible you see over and over again how God has used the young and the old for mighty works. Young David was anointed king (1 Samuel 16:13), and young Mary was chosen to give birth to the Savior (Luke 1:30-31). Abraham became the father of Isaac at one hundred years old (Genesis 21:5); and Noah was six hundred when he entered the ark after God told him to build it (Genesis 7:6-7).

I have been blessed to be able to do some amazing things since turning forty. I was called into ministry at forty-three; published my first book at forty-seven; directed and produced my first film at fifty. Prior to that I worked as an accountant for many years. I never would have imagined that my life would shift to another level, but it did when I really began to hear and follow the voice of God. I realize now that God was just leading me into my purpose.

You might think that God wouldn’t do that with you. Why not? The Lord said to Samuel in 1Samuel 16:7, “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”. Don’t be fooled by how the world views age, appearance or even social status for that matter.

The Lord’s selection process is much greater.

Open your heart and mind to the fact that God can use you for mighty works at any age if you just believe. It is not our ability that keeps us from reaching our full potential, it is unbelief. Believing is the key. We often limit ourselves and we place the same limits on God. The truth is as the angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible”. So believe big and let God lead you into your purpose and know that age doesn’t make a difference.

About Writer

Aretha Tatum is the author of the award-winning book The Problem with Jesus and The Wonderful Counselor- My Sheep Hear My Voice. Follow her on social media to learn more about her.