Age 92 and Still Heading Upstream
March 24th, 2008 | Michael Q. Pink
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” 1 Cor 15:4
Are you tempted to give up? Think you have it bad? Maybe you do. Life can be tough, but don’t get stuck where you are. Stir up the gift of God, which is in you. What is that gift? Christ in you, the hope of glory. Sure there are other gifts, talents and blessings He has bestowed upon you, but none compare with the gift of Christ in you.
I know how it feels. You struggle and struggle for so long, making some progress but never experiencing the breakthrough you are working towards and you just want to take a break from it. Give it a rest. But the problem is that life is like a river. Our destination is the crystal lake at the headwaters of this river. When we stop struggling to reach the headwaters, we start drifting towards the sea. We must choose between reproducing life in the crystal lake or drifting out to the salty sea of humanity, just another one of many who gave up the struggle before completing the mission. Before fulfilling our destiny.
I don’t know about you, but I intend to spend the rest of my life heading upstream. Who knows, maybe my going in that direction will help others? Who is watching you? Have you considered the possibility that others are looking at you for hope? Maybe, just maybe they need to see someone they know pressing on, upstream, bent on fulfilling their destiny. All along the river, there are those who have lost their way who desperately need someone who hasn’t given up. This morning, I received this news clip of someone who is still swimming upstream at age 92 and changing the direction of an armed robber.
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March 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Absolutely awesome video! Michael, thanks also for the “check-up from the neck up.” I often tell others in so many words to make the commitment to reach their destiny. Not to reach a particular goal, although that can be part of it, but to make the commitment/decision to that nothing will stop you. I need to take my own medicine! This is a reflection of Paul’s admonition in Philippians to have the mind of Christ, where Jesus basically decided that He was going to do God’s will no matter what. He had that mindset and God wants us to have it as well. Settle the decision in our minds beforehand that we will do it.
Also, this woman looks great at 92! Reminded me of Proverbs 4:22, about keeping God’s Word within us, “for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.” Talk about seeing that come true in someone’s life! She’s a living example.
Blessings to you Michael (once again!),
Dennis
March 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Michael,
I was truly Blessed in reading your story about 92 and still heading upstram! What an awesome video! This is what it is all about! Sharing the WORD and telling someone that HE, JESUS loves them! A TRUE TESTIMONY of FAITH! This should give us all a check in our spirit. Would we have done the same or panicked! I loved it, thanks.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Just this weekend I was review what I had written a few weeks back. “Is life one struggle after another that only ends in failure?”
Thank you for the encouragement and the renewed perspective. I may make it to the ‘headwaters’. I may not, but I may make it possible for others to make it there. Either way I am used by God. What else is there in life but usefullness for God?
March 24th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Greetings in HIM Michael,
Once again with her marvelous witness we are reminded, “this world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…” With troubling times ahead this is a shot in the arm for the body of Christ and what we are here for in the words of the Apostle Paul, whether we live or die, in Christ it is gain! Life is hard, but in the end it is just the journey, NOT the end or our reward, our hope is in HIM.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Michael,
It is a fact most people, although proud owners of a Bible, do not read their Bible’s. They read (so called) Christian’s lives! It’s true, more times than not, our lives are the only “epistles” anyone will ever read. This is why I absolutely refuse to give up! Every day I say, “I will not live in regret, retreat, or reserve!” YES life is an upstream swim, but WOW! The rewards are plenty and thankfully when the current get’s rough we are never alone! I’d like to remind your readers; even the mighty oak was once a little nut who held his ground! Don’t give up! Despite how you may feel, you are never, ever alone! He has you and He will never, ever let you fall!
I pray everything you put your hands to will prosper above and beyond anything you could have anticipated!
Blessings in Christ,
Rebecca
March 24th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Thank you, I badly needed that encouragement this morning.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:03 am
YES I THINK AT TIMES AND AT CROSSROADS OF OUR WALK WITH GOD THAT THESE THOUGHTS COME TO OUR MINDS. BUT THE GREAT ONES WILL PUSH ON AS IF THERE IS BUT ONE CHOICE AND THAT IS TO KEEP PERSERVERING AND STAY DETERMINED. PUSHING AGAINST THE FLOW OF THE WORLD TO ARRIVE AT OUR DESTINY. MILDRED
March 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Would to God there were more women and men with this lady’s godly spirit! This lady knows the meaning of Psalm 46:1 that says “…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” what a GREAT God I serve!
February 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Nice post