Reluctant Retiree

In times past, when a proclamation or document was sent by a king, it was sealed by wax and the king imprinted his signet ring onto the wax. This seal guaranteed the authenticity of the document and carried the full authority of the king. We use seals today in a similar fashion on property deeds, automobile titles, notarized documents and certified mail.

Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” The believer who trusts in Jesus Christ is sealed by the Holy Spirit in God. This seal makes us secure in God forever, establishes God’s ownership of our lives, and authorizes us to carry His Word and His name into the world as His representatives. This seal can never be broken because it bears the authority of God.

I don’t know about you, but I feel that my words have frequently been misinterpreted. We have language apps and programs that take the words said in one language and translates those words into the language spoken by the listener. Why can’t we develop software that will take my words and correctly translate these words into the understanding of the listener, even when we speak the same language. This software would decrease misunderstandings and thereby diminish hostilities.

Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” The Holy Spirit stands before the Father on our behalf and makes our requests. The Holy Spirit does that by reaching down deep into our hearts and souls to determine what we need and matches those needs to the Father’s will. He translates our deepest groanings to the Father.

One of the saddest things of growing old is the loss of heartfelt memories. But it is also sad to get increasingly busy with life, so that we forget the important things. We are so focused on doing things that sometimes we leave behind previously held values for the sake of expediency. Thereby,we become different people than we intended to be.

Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.” Faith in God is to be held tightly and taken seriously. It impacts every part of life and eternity. Don’t let the things you know are true fade from your thoughts. We shouldn’t become so busy that it changes who we are and what we believe. We must remember the truths that God has spoken and that we have believed.

How would you feel if someone came barging into your presence and started making commands and harshly directing you to do certain things. Most of us would become fearful, and think this person to be unwelcome, rude, and severely out of place. This behavior is socially unacceptable and commonly viewed with contempt.

Proverbs 15:4 says, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” When we speak with kindness, we spread light, life, and joy. When we speak harshly in a self-serving way, we spread discouragement, darkness, and fear. Let’s use gentle words with each other and find encouragement and strength in our common needs.

Suppose an important dignitary was coming to visit you. Most likely, an advance team would come to you beforehand to give you information about the dignitary. They would inform you of his/her likes and dislikes, the protocol for the visit, and anything else it would be important for you to know. One thing that the advance team cannot do is impart some of the dignitary’s qualities and attributes into your life. Once you meet this person, you may be so affected that some of these attributes become a part of your life.

John 17:25-26 says, “O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” Jesus did not only introduce the Father to us, He continues to make the Father known to us and He places the Father’s love in us. Through Jesus we come to know God and become more like the Father through His Spirit living in us. This dignitary, Father God, is worthy to know and for us to be made into His image.