Reluctant Retiree

I have lived in California for most of my life. During some parts of the year the fire danger is high. Warm dry winds combine with the dry brush to make conditions ripe for wildfires. Once started, the fires spread rapidly due to the winds. The fires can be unstoppable if the conditions are right.

Acts 2:2-4 says, “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Wind and fire together make a mighty and unstoppable power. The Holy Spirit’s powerful fire is unstoppable if we make the conditions right. Fan the flames of the Holy Spirit by walking in righteousness and following Jesus relentlessly. Depend upon Him to display His power through you.

We remember things in different ways. We have a surface memory of past events and people’s names. We have a deeper memory that prompts us to do something, like go to an appointment or do a favor for someone. When we fail at surface memory, the consequences are minimal, like embarrassment. We we fail at the deeper memory level, the results are more consequential.

I Samuel 1:10-11 says, “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” The word “remember” in this verse means to be moved into action. God remembered Hannah from this prayer and gave her a son. When we ask God to remember us, He will act, but we must respond with sacrifice and service, as Hannah did.

This morning I was hiking a familiar trail before sunrise. It was dark and I was trying to stay on the trail, but I couldn’t see the trail. My steps were slow and unsure. Then I saw a light several hundred yards directly in front of me. I didn’t know where the light came from, but by heading directly toward the light, I could trust my steps and not wander right or left.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Whether we are going through times of rejoicing or times of struggle, keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us follow the right path and endure unto victorious living. His light keeps us from wandering right or left, staying on the path of righteousness.

Often our work at the lower levels of a company prepare us to manage more difficult tasks as we move up in the company. By living and helping with chores in a loving family we learn how to create and maintain a loving family of our own. By completing our schoolwork as best as we can, we gain the information and skills necessary to earn a living later in life. Though sometimes it is difficult and tedious to do our work now, we will reap future benefits by giving our best efforts to the jobs at hand.

Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.” We shouldn’t grumble about the work we have to do, because it God uses this work to prepare us to manage our responsibilities well. Instead we should be grateful and learn from these experiences. Similarly God uses our study of His Word, along with prayer and godly living, to prepare us for spiritual trials and service.

We put our trust in a number of things daily. We trust politicians and government to do the right things for us. We trust merchants to provide good quality goods and services at a fair price. We trust family members to be faithful and act for the welfare of all the family. We trust the chair that we sit in to hold us up comfortably.

Psalm 18:30 says, This God-his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” We follow God because His paths are perfect and everything that He speaks is true. He always protects us when we call upon Him. We can have a sincere faith in God because He loves us and is true and perfect.