By Sandra Jean Charite
As 2023 began, I started to dread turning 40. Although I’m grateful to have reached this milestone by God’s grace, a recurring question has burdened me: “What have I accomplished in these 40 years?” The answer to this question is beyond what I can see with my eyes, and I keep hearing God say that there is more, and my age doesn’t define my purpose or His plans for my life.
Most of my anxiety comes from feeling like I’m not where I should be. I’ve encountered countless failures, disappointments, and heartbreaks. I keep having to stop and recover then on to the next impediment. I take accountability for my part in these setbacks, but I didn’t expect to be overwhelmed by them. In the past ten years, I’ve drawn closer to God because adulting hit me hard. I waited for things to get easier, but they never did.
I had a vision of what my life at 40 should look like, including a husband, motherhood, a house, and a fulfilling career, but I seemed far from achieving these things. The closer I got, the more setbacks I encountered. I’m not making excuses, but I’m sharing my truth. My mind has created stories that keep me in a paralyzed state, but I keep moving forward, knowing that change will come.
Honestly, I don’t want to pity myself. God’s timing is perfect, and His perfect time supersedes everything and I rest knowing He has a plan for my life. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven,” and Isaiah 60:22 says, “At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” Even when I felt like I’ve made too many mistakes or taken the wrong path, God’s purpose for my life hasn’t expired.
Throughout the Bible, God reminds us that He’s in control of our lives. Before I took my first breath, God knew me and formed me in my mother’s womb. God’s plan for my life is a good plan and will come to fruition. Even though I’ve faced failures, disappointments, and made mistakes, God sees beyond those things and still wants to use me for his purpose. Sometimes it’s hard for me to see this because of the mistakes I’ve made. It’s not the enemy that caused my failures, but rather my own poor planning and bad decision-making. However, God is not intimidated by my shortcomings. He wants to be with me and guide me through my mistakes. When I mess up, the safest place for me to turn is to God.
In today’s society, many people believe that your purpose in life is only fulfilled when you become a mother, give birth to a child, or achieve success in your career. However, God sees us all as purposeful, regardless of these things. Turning 40 does not define God’s plan for your life. He is the creator of time, and everything is beautiful in its own time, as stated in Ecclesiastes 3:11. We serve a God who knows how to make the most of our time and redeem lost years. As stated in Joel 2:25 NKJV, God can “restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”
Approaching a milestone such as turning 40 can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. However, it is important to remember that our age does not define our purpose or God’s plan for our lives. Despite our failures and setbacks, God sees potential in us and wants to use us for his greater good. We must trust in His timing and plan, and know that everything is beautiful in its own time. As we continue on our journey, we should remember to run toward God in times of trouble and trust that He will guide us toward our true purpose.
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