Reluctant Retiree

Can you identify several times in your life when you did something and it came out perfectly? Perhaps you hung a picture that was level and the lighting was just right, so you thought that was perfect. Maybe you found the right mate, and thought that was a perfect choice, although the mate is probably far from perfect. Perfect is hard to come by and most of us rarely meet the standard of perfection.

II Corinthians 12:10 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Don’t ever refuse to do something that God wants you to do, just because you feel that you can’t do it well. He will give you enough grace to do the task well despite your weakness. His grace will perfectly provide you with the wisdom and strength needed to do His will.

I pride myself on being able to finish tasks quickly. But sometimes I inadvertently sacrifice quality for the sake of speed. In those instances I am disappointed in the product I have produced and in myself.

II Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” When it feels like things are not going well and God is not listening to you, remember His patience toward you. He patiently waits for us to come to Him, granting mercy when we don’t deserve it. He is faithful to fulfill every promise He has ever made. Wait upon Him and He will deliver grace upon grace.

When you place a lamp within a room and turn it on, the whole room is lit up. The only way a portion of the room can remain dark is if it is cut off from the light. Light destroys darkness.

Luke 11:35-36 says, “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Be careful where you place your thoughts and attention. Even a little bit of darkness affects the light you can experience and share with others. When we focus on unworthy thoughts, we are cutting a portion of ourselves off from the light. We are making that part of us dark. Let’s focus our thoughts and attention on God, truth, godliness, and love.

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.