I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then

I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then

As he steps down as National Director of REACH, Elim's evangelism and church planting division, Gary Gibbs is just as passionate to follow Jesus now as he was when he met him aged 17

Sinatra sang the famous words: “And now, the end is near and so I face the final curtain…” Well, it’s not quite that dire! But next month I will be finishing my role as national director of REACH because my 67th birthday is looming (even though I seem to have maintained my youthful, boyish looks!).

How do you retire from being in ministry? Answer: you don’t! I think I’ll enjoy hanging out with family a little more and being an unpaid taxi driver to my grandkids.

But my aspiration is to be like Caleb: “So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then,” (Joshua 14:11).

Honestly, I’m not sure whether, even if I reach 85, I’ll be as vigorous as he was. All I know is that right now I’m as passionate to follow Jesus as I was when I first met him aged 17. If not even more so. And nothing excites me more than seeing someone turn to the Lord and choose a ‘Big Yes’!

There is a promise in Psalm 92:14 for those who remain in a right relationship with the Lord: “…they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” Going forwards, Lord, let me stay fresh and green, producing fruit which lasts (John 15).

Just recently we returned from a holiday in Canada, visiting my eldest son and his family. Two of my grandsons persuaded me to go outside and ‘shoot some hoops’ in the basketball net they have in the front yard. We had some fun, but after around 20 minutes I was done! I did OK, but they were a lot fitter and faster than me with a heap more stamina!

Afterwards I reflected that if I am going to have any chance of continuing to play physically with them I will need to pay attention to my fitness levels.

The same applies spiritually. The discipleship journey is not that complicated. In the title of Eugene Peterson’s marvellous book, it’s about ‘A Long Obedience in the Same Direction’. It’s about a consistent walk with Jesus, day by day. Prayer, Bible, worship, fellowship, faith-sharing, all from a heart of devotion; these are the practices which will keep us fit to serve God’s purposes. It really isn’t rocket science!

This prayer from the online devotional Lectio 365 app is part of my regular devotions. It sums up really well the direction I want to continue in until I meet Jesus face to face:

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.

Amen.

Gary remains a minister in the Elim family and will still be available to serve our churches. Find out more at garygibbs.org

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.