Turning 40: Age Doesn’t Define Your Purpose

As the calendar year unfolded, a creeping sense of dread enveloped me as I approached my 40th birthday. I’ve understood that turning 40 is a significant milestone, a moment to reflect on life's journey. Deep within, I harbor a profound gratitude to God for guiding me safely this far, yet an incessant question reverberates in my mind: “What have I truly accomplished in these 40 years on this earth?” The answer, I realize, encompasses far more than the limitations of my physical sight. I find comfort in the gentle whispers of God, reminding me that there is still much more ahead of me and that my age is merely a number that does not dictate my purpose or His divine plans for me.

Much of my anxiety stems from a nagging feeling that I am not where I am meant to be. I find myself ensnared by the shadows of countless failures, disappointments, and heartbreaks I’ve faced throughout my life. It often feels like a relentless cycle—I stumble, pause to regain my footing, and then face another obstacle. While I willingly acknowledge that I have played a part in these setbacks, the weight of them has been heavier than I ever anticipated. Over the last decade, I have sought refuge in my relationship with God like never before; adulthood crashed into me with overwhelming force, shattering any notions of ease I held, as life seldom unfolded in the straightforward manner I had imagined.

Many of us have hopes and dreams for our lives. I once envisioned having a loving partner, children to care for, a home filled with laughter, a meaningful career, and the adventure of living outside familiar surroundings like South Florida. However, as we strive to realize these dreams, it can be incredibly disheartening when unexpected challenges and setbacks arise. It’s important to understand that these struggles are not mere excuses; they represent real experiences that deserve recognition and acknowledgment.

Many of us grapple with a mind that sometimes weaves stories that hold us back, creating a sense of paralysis. Yet, despite these internal battles, we continue to move forward, clinging to the hope that tomorrow will bring the change we have been seeking. I want you to know that it’s okay to feel this way, and it’s a part of the journey we all share.

Honesty compels me not to wallow in self-pity; instead, I want to emphasize that God's timing surpasses all earthly expectations. As the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” The Lord reassures us in Isaiah 60:22, “At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” I have often felt overwhelmed by the weight of my mistakes, haunted by the belief that I have taken too many wrong turns or that the window of opportunity has closed, causing me to question if God’s purpose for my life has expired.

Throughout the pages of the Bible, God consistently reminds us of His sovereignty over our lives. Even before my first breath, He knew me intimately, having woven me together in my mother’s womb. His plans for me are imbued with hope and promise, destined to come to fruition. God loves and knows each of us in a way that surpasses human understanding; He perceives the remarkable person I was created to be and all the potential tucked within my essence.

God sees beyond these struggles despite my myriad failures, disappointments, and missteps. He envisions the deeper purposes He wishes to unveil within me. Admittedly, my past errors and shortcomings often obscure these divine truths. It is not solely the enemy at play; often, my own ineffective planning and hasty decisions have led me astray. Yet, God remains unfazed by my faults; He welcomes me with open arms, eager to walk alongside me in my moments of weakness. When I stumble, there is no safer harbor than God's loving hands.

While society often equates purpose with motherhood, career success, or achieving particular life milestones, God gazes down and assures us that our purpose remains intact regardless of our circumstances. Turning 40 does not signal the end of His plans for my life; He is the true author of time.

As Ecclesiastes 3:11 beautifully states, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” We serve a God who possesses the miraculous ability to redeem time! He can restore the years that the swarming locust has eaten, as declared in Joel 2:25 (NKJV).

By Sandra Jean Charite