Struck Dumb

For some, Advent can be a time of finding a new purpose.

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. - Luke 1:57-68

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is proof that God can change our life purpose late in life, so there is no time when we are too old to start something new, at least not in God's eyes.

Zechariah is like us in this story, reluctant, disbelieving, doubtful.

His stubbornness caused him to be unable to speak until the child was born, and then, once he acknowledged that the child was not his but God's, his tongue was freed.

What does that tell us about ourselves?

If we are never too old to embark on a new mission, then the question is are we willing?

It is not about whether or not we are able, because God will see to it that we can do whatever opportunities He sends our way.

Scary, isn't it?

We think we are on the decline because of age, and yet there may be a whole new journey on the horizon that we cannot see.

So, maybe we should pray for God's help, and pray for thanks that we are still able.  At some point, we may be called into action in a new way, and we don't want to turn down an opportunity like that.

After all, we may be struck dumb!

More to come...