Reluctant Retiree

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we just can’t get closer to our goal. Perhaps we just get tired and don’t have the energy to pursue our target. Or maybe something goes wrong and that mistake puts us farther away from our goal.

Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ which means , God with us.” When we have been incapable of moving even an inch toward God, God moved heaven and earth to draw near to us. First, He sent His Son to take on human form and show us the Father. Then He gives His Holy Spirit to stay with us and reveal the Father and comfort us with God’s comfort. The only way to achieve our goal of drawing near to God is to surrender to Him and let Him draw us near.

A witness in court has the responsibility to tell the truth about what they have seen and heard. Their believability and reliability is evaluated by the court. The jurors or judge ultimately decide the fate of the case and the people involved.

John 15:26-27 says, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” Another work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is to bear witness and reveal Jesus, both to the believer themselves, and to others through the believer. The Holy Spirit thereby reveals the truth about Jesus, the truth disclosed and given by the Father. We are called to be instruments of the Holy Spirit to reveal those truths to those around us.

You can learn to do almost anything online these days. There are You Tube videos covering many subjects and online helps from many vendors. At times I wished that I had a personal tutor sitting next to me while I was doing something that I didn’t totally understand. This tutor would kindly instruct me and even show me how to do what I am trying to do.

John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” God’s Holy Spirit teaches us all truth and knowledge about God. He even reminds us about the truth from God’s Word when we need it. Anything we need to know about life and dealing with our surroundings, God knows and has made provisions for us to know. His Word covers all knowledge and wisdom. And beyond that He gives His Holy Spirit to those who trust Him and He will teach us all things.

We search for true love and we believe that we can give true love. Then why doesn’t love last a lifetime? Maybe it is because our efforts to love and be loved are tainted with selfishness, pride, self-centeredness, lust, greed, and pride.

John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus wants us to love each other as He loved us. He is, therefore, calling us to love each other unselfishly, humbly, completely, and purely. This kind of love only comes from a heart that knows the love of God and has surrendered to His grace and mercy.

By spending decades in business and nonprofit organizations, I came across all different types of leaders. Some were abusive in language and others were effective encouragers. Some were overseers while others gave freedom to perform. Some were detailed by the book enforcers, but others welcomed creative thought and practice.

John 13:14-15 says, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” The best leaders are servant leaders, like Jesus. They humble themselves to serve others rather than just taking pride in their position of leadership. They capture the hearts of those they serve and lead, rather than demand mindless obedience.