Reluctant Retiree

I don’t know about you, but many times I just want to be alone and be able to clear my mind and rest my spirit. Maybe you don’t have this desire, but I am an introvert and have these times quite frequently. Sometimes the stresses of life are too much and the burdens that come with these stresses are too heavy. Where can we go to find safety and shelter from pursuits, danger and trouble?

Psalm 16:1-2 says, “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'” God is the place where we can find safety and shelter from danger and trouble. He is the only place where we can reliably find good. He wants to be our constant and desired refuge. Why not turn to His strength and trustworthiness?

To comfort means to ease or alleviate a person’s feelings of grief or distress (Oxford Languages). We can become distressed by many events or circumstances in our lives. Health concerns, job instability, financial problems, relationship difficulties and more can create anxieties within us. Where can we go to find comfort?

Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” No matter what difficulties we may walk through, the Lord remains with us to bring comfort to our hearts and minds and souls. He is the Good Shepherd and His rod and staff lead us to His protection and provision. He is the faithful source of comfort.

The phrase “Never Enough” could be the theme of our society. We always want more. We want more money, higher paying jobs, attention and fame, cars and houses, and we want it with less effort on our part. Why isn’t somebody giving us these things? But are these really the things that we want?

II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s grace is better than Christmas presents. His grace provides everything that we need for life and through eternity. Instead of seeking things that don’t satisfy us, God’s power provides us unending love, unexplainable joy, all needs supplied, peace beyond measure, eternal hope, salvation, redemption, and undeserved kindness. This Christmas seek more than the gifts under the tree. Find God’s grace.

We all know the Christmas story of the baby Jesus born to Mary and Joseph in the manger. It is a beautiful story of God’s love demonstrated by sending His own Son to save sinners. But God our Heavenly Father also reveals His own attributes through the Christmas story.

Colossians 3:21 says, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, meekness, and patience.” The Christmas story is a telling of God’s compassionate heart for us as Jesus was sent to save us. It is a story of kindness as God displays His mercy in forgiving us. It is a story of meekness as Jesus came as a child born in a manger. It is a story of God’s patience in waiting to execute judgement on sin. He has called us to imitate His image by also having a compassionate heart, and showing kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Have you ever come across anything that is completely pure? Perhaps you have seen a gemstone that was perfect. Maybe the smile of your small child was pure joy to you. Then perhaps, maybe you have witnessed a musical performance that sounded like it was perfectly performed. Or maybe, you saw an athletic team perform in a perfect manner, if even for a single play. Perfection and purity are rare, but when we see it we are changed by it.

I Peter 1:15-16 says, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.” God is completely free from any defect or sin. He is transforming us into His image so we should reject any temptation to do things that we know are wrong.