I attended three conferences this year. I took a notebook full of notes, and one group of workshops is changing how I approach discipleship. It was a great year of learning with both instructional and inspirational messages. There was some great preaching from the Bible and incredible worship songs.

Of all the things I experienced this year, one image is stuck in my head. It has inspired me and given me joy whenever I feel down. I attended a conference about preaching in a Church not too far away. You had to walk by the offices to get to the auditorium. As I walked by one of the rooms, I noticed an older lady, I guessed to be 70-80 years old. Her skin was wrinkled and weathered over top of a frail frame bent from years of work. She gave me a friendly smile as I walked by, and she continued working.

The worship began, and everyone was finding their place. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed this elderly woman step into the back row of the auditorium. Even though the song was a modern worship song written in the past year, she began to sing. For a few moments, I stopped and watched her; she was singing with all her might there in the back of the room. As we sat for the speaker, she disappeared back into her office to work.

Over the following two days, I would watch her step out and sing every line of every song with the same enthusiasm. I have no idea what she did for the Church, but her love for the Lord was evident.

I found myself thinking one clear thought, “I hope I am as excited to praise Jesus when I am 80 as she is today.”

Sometimes, the Christian life can be rough, especially as a Church leader. People can hurt you, and faith can be difficult. So many days, I want to throw in the towel and sell ice cream somewhere. Yet, that lady inspires me. I can only imagine what she has seen in her lifetime, yet she is there unashamedly singing her praises. If she can make it, I know I can too.

Keep shining your light; you never know who will be helped by its glow.