The numbers of '21' or '18' charm the adolescent who longs to qualify for independence by reaching the age of adulthood. This 'coming of age' symbolizes their freedom to pursue their own plans for their lives rather than those of a parent or guardian. The gospel of John records Jesus' assessment of the disciple Peter's 'coming of age' interestingly enough in John 21:18. (Those magic numbers reappear!)

"I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." (John 21:18 NIV).

Although Jesus is speaking specifically of Peter's martyrdom, there is an application here for all who would follow Christ in servanthood. He reminds us once again that the ways of the kingdom of God are radically different from the ways of the world. According to conventional knowledge, a little child stretches out his hands in a position of powerlessness, dependent upon his parent to dress him. As a school-child he is often 'under orders' and 'in training', led about where he does not want to go. He looks forward to being powerful and independent. He is promised an 'upward mobility' where he is progressively liberated to go his own way and in his own strength.

Jesus offers a radically different view of maturity: a 'downward mobility' in which we become servants, progressively realizing our powerlessness in ourselves and becoming more dependent upon God as our Total Resource. The Lord teaches us to pray from this poverty of spirit, "Give us this day, our daily bread." In our nothingness, He becomes everything. Christ is not looking for us to do a great work for Him. He is seeking to do a great work through us. First we must stretch forth our arms in abandonment to His prerogatives and let Him clothe us with His Spirit and lead us in His service.

This is a hard pill to swallow for a generation brought up singing, "You've got to go where you want, Do what you want, with whomever." But our lives are far more useful surrendered to the arms of Love than at the mercy of our own self-styled ambitions.

As the numbers '21' and '18' held their charm for the adolescent, the retirement age of '65' holds its charm for many a worker today. We are promised a day when we are no longer ruled by our jobs and are free to cash in on the rewards of our years of hard labor. The true rewards of a Christ-follower, however, are in eternity. Some of the most fruitful labor for the kingdom has been accomplished by men and women in their senior years. A mission field awaits those who are ready to receive their orders. Be careful not to prematurely retire from the work of the Lord. By the time Moses reached retirement age, he was still in the back side of the desert being pruned of self-reliance in order to qualify for a new ministry at the age of 80 in which he would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt towards the promised land. He who had been groomed for power and independence in Egypt was now being groomed for powerlessness and dependence in the wilderness. He who was strongest became the meekest (Numbers 12:3).

We too can learn to glorify God by dying daily to the rule of our autonomous self. We can stretch forth our arms in childlike faith, and trust that we will be clothed with power from on high. Let Him take you by the hand into areas where He knows you can be of the greatest use. It may not be the place of your natural choosing. Though it may cause some pain and hardship, it may be the key that unlocks someone's redemption. As Jesus trusted the Father, so can we.

Stretching out the hands,

David MacAdam, Pastor/Teacher
New Life Community Church