Five years ago, my church began to invite me to the Prime-Time Ministries group. Prime Time? That’s code for old, isn’t it? If that’s the case, I’m certain I don’t qualify, although my birth certificate might suggest otherwise.
To its credit, our church decided to ease us into our new reality by separating the group into three, stair-stepped age groups. And I, of course, qualified for the youngest. Those they term “Not Ready for Prime Time.” Perfect, because for a while, I’d been fighting it.
Perhaps like me, you’re still in the workforce. How can we be Prime-Timers? And even if you’re winding down your career, or already stepped away, this feels a bit like a pie in the face.
And yet—I do find myself in a different place. It’s new and somewhat unfamiliar. And there are fewer souvenirs to savor than there used to be. The monthly PTA meeting and snack schedule for Little League. Receiving the kid’s prom photos, ordering graduation announcements, and the post-it note reminder of college tuition due. Those were the indicators that directed my days, filled my calendar, and made my life full.
And if I’m honest, although I cherish the years as I watched my sons grow to be men, I like where I am. It’s different. It’s exciting. It’s full of possibility.
The odd thing is I don’t really feel any older until someone points it out. The kid at the movies who asks if I want the senior discount, or when the waitress offers me the “silver senior” breakfast menu. “Back off, kid,” is what I want to say. But I don’t want to be seen as old and grumpy. Only my body is advancing—sounds so much better than aging, doesn’t it? It requires more upkeep to finish strong. And that is how I intend to finish.
Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT).
And that’s it. I don’t want to conform to this “age”—although I realize Paul had a different meaning in mind. I need to resist telling myself I’m too old to learn that new software. Or “Let someone younger meet that ministry need.”
When I look at the qualifiers, I’m still in the game: I’m a mature believer, with more time on my hands, and experience that can glorify God and benefit the Kingdom. My heart wants others to know the unending love of a Savior who pursues us relentlessly. So why not raise my hand?
Yet I know some in my circle say, “Aren’t you a little old to be starting that? You’ve done your share; let the young ones take it on.”
Might sound inviting. But nowhere do I see retirement as a biblical concept. John, the beloved apostle, was over 90 and still preaching and writing while exiled on Patmos. It was said of Anna: “She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2: 36b-37 NIV).
Consider this: what if this is the time of your life God designed to fulfill your calling? The calling He assigned you before your birth—and never changes his mind about? If you’ve experienced doubt about your contributions to the world around you, there is still time!
You have a lot of living to do. Does God still have a purpose for you? There’s an easy answer: if you’re still here, he’s not done with you yet! There are ministry opportunities for us before we exit the planet. I am certain God has an exciting and meaningful purpose for my life at this stage. And I don’t want to miss a moment of it.
Ready to start building your strong finish?
Deb DeArmond is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach, helping others to achieve their goals whether in marriage, family relationships, at work, or in ministry. Her books reflect that path. Her newest release, We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished, encourages and informs women 50+ how to make the rest of their life the best of their life.
