Growing Older

I paused.

Watching General Conference at the weekend, I observed the effect of age on many church leaders.

Like them, we are all growing older.

Similarly, I observed our departing missionaries as they gave their final testimonies at our recent Zone Conferences.

They too have grown older.

And a little wiser as well.

But, there is also something very different.

They have overcome hundreds, if not thousands of obstacles over the last 18/24 months.

They know a lot about exercising faith in Jesus Christ, loving, and serving people, being obedient and working hard.

They have learned a lot about different cultures and languages.

They know too about the principles of a disciplined life.

They have grown not only physically, but spiritually too, through their service and study of the scriptures.

They have 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅.

Their hearts are softer, gentler, kinder, and tender.

They have grown in knowledge, confidence, and ability.

In a few days’ time, they will no longer wear a missionary’s badge, but from personal experience, I know they will always be anxious to identify themselves as one who has served the Lord as a missionary.

Shortly, they will complete the full time missionary “chapter” in their own book of life.

And they’ll be ready for a fresh start in their next chapter, knowing what it takes to be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.

To parents, family and friends, be prepared for some great inspirational stories and a powerful glow that will lift each of you to higher ground, to be better, to stand taller and to move forward with an increase in faith.

To those in Belgium and the Netherlands, if you want to speak to any of them before they go, then now is the time!

They’re growing older, by the hour!