Reluctant Retiree

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.

Every business that I ever worked for had a missions statement. The statement described what the end goal of the business was and how they were going to achieve it. It was designed to inspire workers and put us all on the same page in what we were doing as a company.

I Corinthians 3:9 says, “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field. God’s building.” Paul makes this proclamation on behalf of the church of Jesus Christ. It is a form of mission statement for the church. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are working together to make His field produce good fruit and build His household so that it is strong and steadfast.

I have worn hearing aids for more than a decade. They help quite a bit but have their limitations. I still don’t hear voices well when I am with a group of people or there is background noise. I also cannot always discern where a noise is coming from. I still like having the hearing aids and appreciate their benefits.

John 10:3 says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, calls us by our name and leads us. Be encouraged that God knows your name and is calling you. Let him lead you in all things. Tune your hearing into his voice and follow where He leads. You will be led in paths of righteousness and fruitfulness.