The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

Whatever age you are, or season of life you are in, it’s easy to feel that you’re behind.  You’re not married, your career has never materialized, you should have accomplished this and this and this, by now…

When we are caught up in these thoughts, we’re not thinking the way that God does. God is not limited to the here and now.  There are no expiration dates on his plans and purpose for our lives because He is capable of doing the impossible.  And yes, sometimes the working out of His purposes takes time–a long time.

Mavis Orton was a 26-year-old British nurse who had always wanted to do missions. She was packing for Thailand when her mother had a serious stroke.  Mavis’s mother needed her care…for the next 20 years.  After her mother died, she contacted several mission agencies.  “It’s too late.  You are too old!” she was told.

But Mavis kept at it.  Finally, one agency accepted her for work in the Philippines.  She took her midwifery skills, headed for a poor area with a high mortality rate, rented a tiny house and the Shalom Birthing Center was born.   Decades later, at age 77 she was still at it, when she was honored by Queen Elizabeth!  Thousands of babies had arrived safely and mothers who would otherwise had no medical care at all, were well and loved, all because Mavis knew this:  it is never too late for God to work out His purpose in our lives.

 

Resource reading: Psalm 57:1-3