Young and Old

You’re never too old for the Lord to use. It is your experience of walking with Him that He wants to use to encourage the next generation. God uses blind, imperfect, old, tired people to further His kingdom.

You’re never too young for the Lord to use. It is your childlike faith that all believers are called to emulate. God uses immature, inexperienced, energetic children to further His kingdom.

In 1 Samuel 3 we read of an old, tired, blind man who has served as a priest to the Lord, God Almighty, and a young, obedient boy who serves alongside him, even while having never experienced the Lord’s presence for Himself.

God calls that young boy in the night. Three times he calls him, and Samuel doesn’t know it is the Lord. How could he? He’s never heard the Lord call him before. Three times Samuel presents himself to Eli, until Eli discerns it is the Lord Himself calling Samuel.

Samuel needed someone who had known the Lord and experienced Him in a way that he never had, to tell him when the Lord was speaking.

Eli needed to see the obedience of another child, so unlike the rebellion of his own sons, to show him his great sin and the mercy of an even greater God.

God used Eli’s experience and wisdom, despite his sin and the coming consequences, to point Samuel to the One who called.

The church needs older people to testify to God’s Word and power and mercy and faithfulness in the lives of younger believers. The church needs young people to serve and remind us of the joy and enthusiasm that we can find in Him. We need each other. We need one another to point us to the One who calls.

-Natalie Runyon