Reluctant Retiree

Have you ever received such a generous gift that it motivated you to give generously to someone else? Have you been forgiven for some awful thing that you did to someone else and that inspired you to forgive someone who did an awful thing to you? Periodically I hear of people paying for Christmas layaways or a meal for random other people.

Luke 15:1-2 says, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.'” No one has gone so low in life or so far away from God that God does not extend grace to bring them near to Him. We should offer the same grace to others that Jesus gives to us, which will cause anger, jealousy, fear, and worry to flee from our thoughts. We have received overwhelming gifts of grace from God. We should extend grace to others who are in need or have offended us in some way.

For much of this past week it has snowed. Every morning the snow is a fresh several inches deep. That complicates my morning walks. I can still pass through the snow, but the progress is much slower as I seek to safely walk. Sometimes, we don’t see the progress that we would like to see in our lives. What do we do in those cases? Do we become frustrated or can we wait and endure the delays?

Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end, it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” God never lies or fails to fulfill a promise. Take hold of His promises because they will surely come true. Wait upon Him, remembering His goodness and faithfulness.

When we seek advice from a trusted friend or counselor, we then have a choice whether to follow said advice. The counsel may be wise or unwise, but the couselor only has the obligation to give the advice, not to follow-through on the advice themselves or make you do what they suggested you do. Consequences will come whether we follow counsel or not.

Psalm 32:8-9 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” Have a decision to make? Let the Lord gently instruct you. He is wise and omniscent. He is also good and has plans for your welfare, not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). But be sure to follow His leading though. Consequences will come if we ignore the Lord’s instruction.

We spend a good portion of our lives learning. If we are smart, we will intentionally keep growing in knowledge. Knowledge is useful but can serve to make us proud. Knowledge can also serve to help others, but love is needed to motivate us to do so.

I Corinthians 8:1-3 says, “we know that all of us possess knowledge. This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” Thinking that we know something well only serves our pride and is foolish. Instead, we should seek love, which builds up others and ourselves. But, best of all, God intimately knows those who love Him. God’s intimate knowledge of us allows Him to provide for our needs and to help us in His grace. He leads us in the paths that will keep us growing in His image and for the good of others.