Reluctant Retiree

He could have come in a blaze of glory, riding a huge white horse with an innumerable army of angels. He could have come out of a brilliant light show in the heavens. He could have come with a loud voice commanding the attention of the whole earth. But He chose to come as a baby born in a stable to peasant parents. He came as fully man while retaining His deity.

Jeremiah 10:10 says, “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.” During this Christmas season we celebrate the babe in the manger, but remember that He is also the true God and the everlasting King. He is worthy of all praise and worship, along with thanksgiving that this Manger King come with salvation for all who would believe and trust in Him.

As I hike the nature trails these days it is easy to tell that the season has changed. What was once forests of lush vegetation, and then of many colored leaves, now reveal barren tree limbs. The cold temperatures have swept through the area and left the trees with a stark reminder of winter’s impact.

Our lives also go through different seasons from childhood to senior living. Along the way we go through periods of education, adolescence, marriage and childbearing, career advancement, and retirement.

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially those who are of the household of faith.” Keep doing good to others even when it is hard or they don’t seem to appreciate the good you do for them. God has prepared good works for us to do in every season of life. Let’s let Him lead us and empower us to do these good works to bear fruit for His name and benefit all people.

Sometimes we fade into a state of chaos and confusion. It could be some new struggle that we are not sure how to address. Perhaps some event or circumstance has caused insecurity. Maybe we are facing a major decision and don’t know which way to turn.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” When we are struggling and don’t know what to do, God will provide for our needs and the wisdom to get us though the chaos and confusion. He can and will become the bright light that leads us in the way that we should go. We must trust Him and follow the direction that He grants to us. A word of caution: He may not provide all the answers at once, but instead require us to follow each step forward in faith.

We cannot deny that lawlessness is increasing in our society. Crowds brazenly swarm businesses to take everything they can carry out. Individuals simply walk out of retail establishments without bothering to pay for the things in their carts. Street crimes against individuals occur daily in big and small cities alike. Politicians differ on how to address the crime wave, but little action is taken.

Jesus spoke of the end times when He said, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” ( Matthew 24:12-14) Though many people around you may move away from God and seek to do lawless deeds, keep strong in the faith and make sure that your love of God and others is increasing.

Most of us have a defined set of right and wrong, while understanding that other people may define right and wrong differently. The problem with everybody’s definitions of right and wrong is that they are learned from flawed people and are improperly influenced by our own attitudes, selfishness, pride, lust and greed. When we apply such definitions to our behavior and judgments of other people’s behavior, conflict and chaos arise.

Judges 17:6 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” The only reliable standard for right and wrong is found in God’s Word. When we do what seems right in our own eyes, our judgment is negatively influenced by our selfishness, pride, and fears. Proverbs 14:12 says it this way, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” God possesses all wisdom and is not motivated by selfish gain or self-centeredness. Therefore, He is a reliable and perfect source to provide the definitions or right and wrong.