"I should be mentoring and stepping back, not still pursuing my own dreams."
How it sounds in your head: Isn't it selfish to chase what YOU want at this age? Shouldn't you be investing in the next generation, passing the baton, making room for others? Your time to shine was before—now it's your time to serve behind the scenes.
"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing."
-- Psalm 92:13-14Religious teaching disguised as humility, making self-denial the highest virtue and personal dreams carnal.
Every leadership book talks about succession planning and legacy through others. It feels noble to decrease so others can increase, and selfish to want your own spotlight now.
Sarah gave birth to Isaac at 90 years old, decades past natural childbearing years. The promise didn't require her to step aside for younger mothers—it required her to believe God could do the impossible through HER at an age everyone else called barren.
I REFUSE the lie that I must abandon my dreams to serve others or that pursuing what God put in MY heart is selfish. IT IS WRITTEN that I shall STILL bear fruit in old age and be fresh and flourishing—not fading or stepping back. IT IS WRITTEN that Sarah birthed the impossible at 90, proving God's promises to ME don't expire when I focus on others. I am a branch abiding in the Vine, and He produces fruit through me effortlessly—both in my life AND through pouring into others. The BARAK blessing covers BOTH my fruitfulness and my legacy—I don't choose one over the other.
The Father isn't asking you to choose between your dreams and mentoring others—He's the God of BOTH/AND, not EITHER/OR. He put those desires in your heart for THIS season, and watching you flourish is the greatest mentoring the next generation could receive.