Reluctant Retiree

Each of us has our morning routine to get ready for the day ahead. We eat breakfast, brush our teeth, shower, shave, and put on our clothes. All these essentials make for good preparation. But aren’t we missing something? We got ready on the outside but didn’t give attention to our inner selves.

Jesus is quoted as saying in Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”

God is more concerned with what is in our hearts than how we look to others on the outside. Keep your heart and mind pure and your actions will also become pure. Starting the day with prayer and reading God’s Word sets our minds and hearts for righteous and fruitful actions.

Sometimes I think that our culture thinks about things in the exact opposite way of the truth. We are told if you work hard enough you can achieve anything. Or if you want something strongly enough you can get it with the right amount of focus. I believe these statements put unrealistic expectations on people, leading to disappointment and frustration. They also downplay the efforts of the millions of people who have worked hard and not achieved their goals.

In Matthew 23:11-12 Jesus says, “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus’ statement is the exact opposite of what our culture tells us. We are told to work hard and promote yourself before others, taking what you believe is yours with no consideration of others. Then we will be able to reach to pinnacle of success. Jesus tells us that to be a leader you must serve others first. Why would He say such a thing. It is because thinking yourself to be important is the opposite of trusting God. It is only when we trust God that we can expect His blessings, which include love, hope, and peace. These inner qualities are the attributes that make life enjoyable and fruitful. Not trusting God leads us down a path that is ultimately unsatisfying and destructive.

Romans 8:29-30 says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Notice the progression of our salvation. God knew and loved us before the foundation of the world. He transforms us into the image of Jesus. He calls us so that we will be righteous before Him and ultimately glorified with Jesus in Heaven. So salvation is a point in time event when we believe and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. But salvation is also a process of becoming like Jesus and ultimately participating in the glory due His name.

Throughout recorded history mankind has remained hopeful, even through the most dire circumstances. We hear stories of the Fountain of Youth and pursue the dream of neverending youthfulness. Legends, such as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, lead us to search for easy wealth. Nowadays, the millions offered by lotteries cause people to spend hard earned cash in the hope of receiving lots of money.

Matthew 20:32-34 says, “Jesus stopped in the road and called, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘we want to see!’ Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.” Jesus is constantly asking you, “What do you want me to do for you?” He understands your needs and has compassion for you, so bring your needs to Him. He is not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but He will supply your true needs, like the need to be loved and accepted. He can and will heal your brokenness and give you sight to see truth.

We can be emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually moved by any number of events. Lately I have been overwhelmed by watching my grandchildren perform to their best ability in school plays and on the athletic fields. We also can experience many touching feelings while watching our favorite team play or by undertaking in a community event.

Peter, James and John were overwhelmed by terror at something they saw. Jesus had taken them up on the mountain and there He was transfigured so that “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes become white as light.” On top of that these three disciples were suddenly enveloped in a bright cloud and heard a voice from inside the cloud. Matthew 17:5-7 says, “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them.”

Don’t wait for a bright cloud or a voice from heaven to worship God and behold His glory. Let Jesus touch your life at every moment. Open your heart and your eyes to behold the glory of God in His creation and in the mighty works that He is doing around you. Let your ears be opened to hear what God is speaking to you through His Word and by His Spirit. You will be awestruck at His wonders and His glory.