As we begin a new month, we can look back at how the Lord led us last month and we can look forward to how He will guide us in the coming weeks, should He tarry. In recent days, the eyes of people around the world have been on the Olympic Games in France. When athletes or teams representing your home country compete, you likely will have a greater interest in following them than watching athletes from other countries.

 This morning, I read emails from several friends and people that I have met, as well as some insights from pastors and Bible teachers. When I was young, the amount of information coming into my home was much more limited than it is now. Although more is not always better, I am grateful to the Lord for access to the Internet, which allows me to be in touch with family and friends around the world, as well as to watch worship services and learn worship songs in many languages.

In her “Whimsy & Wisdom” post this week, Ann-Margret Hovsepian shared the following: “I’ve seen more than one joke or comic strip about how avocados are not ready, not ready, not ready, and then you blink and they’re already overly ripe and inedible. (Real Simple offers this guide but I still think it’s usually a game of chance!)  I have an even bigger issue with bananas. I rarely buy more than two at a time because once they have brown spots, they’re too sweet for my liking. 

Have you ever felt like you spent a big chunk of your life not having enough experience, education, training, resources, or confidence to do something and then, suddenly, it’s too late? Overnight, almost, you question whether you’re now too old, too slow, too uncool, too set in your ways. How do we go from feeling so young, with all the time in the world to do great things, to wondering when our train left the station?

If you are nodding while reading this and thinking about goals you wish you had accomplished by now, I want to remind you of something very, very important. Are you listening carefully? 

You are not an avocado. 

Despite how you may feel, and despite your lifespan being finite, the shelf life of your value and usefulness is not like a fruit’s. Your abilities and interests can change over the years. In some areas, you will lose confidence and feel like you’re falling behind. But in other areas, you will gain confidence and feel more capable. Just because you can’t run as fast as you used to or your memory isn’t as sharp, it doesn’t mean you have less to offer.”

If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, you can do so today. The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind. One of Jesus’ disciples – John – recorded some of His wonderful teachings and proclamations, including those in the “Scripture for the weekend” below. Life is filled with choices, some more crucial than others. You can choose to turn from sin and be born spiritually by trusting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour.

If you are a child of God, you can choose to dedicate your life to walking closely with the Lord and sharing His Word with others. You will be blessed in many ways.

Scripture for the weekend: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)

Thought for the weekend: “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” – William Carey

Steve