The Goal of a Long Life: Identifying God’s Call

If we ask ourselves, “Why has God allowed me to live as long as I have lived?” we may start to think about the complex strands of existence that give every year its own meaning. Like each brushstroke on a canvas, every day contributes to a greater work of art that only God can fully comprehend.

In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus reminds us, “You are the light of the world.” Here, we are reminded that our lives are lights meant to light others’ paths.  No matter how short our lives may be, they are not just a collection of passing days. Allow others to see your goodness and be inspired to honor our heavenly Father by letting your light shine before them.

The Caretaker’s Vineyard: Nurturing Our Earthly Mission

Think of life as a huge vineyard where God, the Master Gardener, has personally planted each of us. Some vines mature more slowly and take longer to give fruit.  Others grow swiftly and mature quickly under the sun’s warmth and the Gardener’s attentive attention.

But each vine develops in its own time before producing an abundance of fruit.  So it may be with us.  Maybe God gives some people longer lifespans because their purpose demands more care.

In John 15:16, Jesus states, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” Thus, longevity may not be a passive experience but rather a prolonged chance to bear fruit.

The Lighthouse: A Guide for Those in Need

Imagine a lighthouse standing proudly on the rocky shoreline. The lighthouse serves as a guide for lost ships and a warning of hazardous waters for as long as it is upright.  The lighthouse, however, has no control over how long it will stand.

God might also give some of us longer lives so that we can be a beacon of hope to others. Through the years, we become guiding lights for future generations, imparting wisdom and insight from our experiences, joys, and challenges.

Psalm 92:14–15 compares the righteous and just to palm trees and cedars saying, “They shall bear fruit even in old age, they will stay fresh and green, To proclaim: “The LORD is just; my rock, in whom there is no wrong.”

The Potter’s Wheel: Altering and Constructing Over Time

In Isaiah 64:7, the prophet Isaiah presents an additional metaphor: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.”

We may think of our lengthy lives as an extended stay on the potter’s wheel.  God continuously shapes and forms us.  He shapes us for ourselves as well as for those who observe our metamorphosis. As we get older, the Potter works to smooth out our flaws and sharpen our edges, molding us into graceful and useful vessels.

A long life could have undergone innumerable cycles of shaping, with each stage preparing us for a distinct facet of God’s work. The grandmother teaching the next generation to pray, or the elderly man sharing words of wisdom with a small child – these seemingly insignificant deeds are the product of a life molded for a reason. Every year is a fresh chance to be used for the glory of the Potter.

Serving in Silence and Steadfastness: The Quiet Stream

Lastly, life is also like a calm stream gently meandering through a forest.  A peaceful stream patiently and persistently nourishes everything in its course.  This is just the opposite of a rushing river that may draw attention due to its force.

God might be calling us to serve with a quiet, unwavering presence.  Such a quiet, unassuming presence can uplift others around us. Grandiose, boisterous acts, on the other hand, may not.

The prophet Micah (6:8) gives us encouragement by saying, ” You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

As we get older, it may become increasingly obvious that we should walk modestly and acknowledge that God’s constant presence is our source of strength rather than ourselves. We are peaceful streams in the earth, feeding it with our long lives of modest deeds of justice, mercy, and kindness.

God’s Message Hears Us: Listen Up!

Maybe some people haven’t received the word of their worldly mission. Has God spoken but we haven’t heard him? Maybe long life is a gift from God, like a second, third, or even fourth opportunity to align our hearts with His calling.

Like Elijah’s account in 1 Kings 19:12, God may occasionally speak in a soft whisper rather than through an earthquake or the wind. Living a long life could be a call to pay closer attention to that voice.  Perhaps it’s an opportunity to uncover the purpose we might have missed in the haste of our formative years.

As Jesus says in Matthew 11:15, “Whoever has ears, ought to hear” We might live long lives because God is continually calling us to service, speaking to us, and making revelations.

God frequently works in ways we do not anticipate, even while we may not always recognize our mission in the conventional sense. It could manifest as connections, private times spent in prayer, or the chance to help someone out of the blue.

Living a purposeful life

I do not believe that God allows us to live long lives devoid of meaning. Sometimes we are streams gently nourishing the planet, and other times we are lighthouses leading others.  And all the while we are clay being fashioned by the Potter, or vines in His vineyard.

Our most profound contributions can occasionally come through the most straightforward of deeds.  Showing compassion, imparting knowledge,  and shining God’s light on the world are all such deeds.

Let us listen to God’s soft whispers, believing that He still has work for us to accomplish if we are still here. We can live out Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” via prayer, introspection, and an open heart to His will. No matter how long our lives are, they are all gifts from God intended to honor Him and benefit others.  I do believe that we are saved to serve!