Reluctant Retiree

We all know people who inflate their importance. They boast of their accomplishments and freely speak their opinions, saying that they are telling it like it is, when they are only speaking from their limited knowledge. Or they may be an athlete pounding their chests and drawing attention to themselves, when it was really the whole team that contributed to their success.

Matthew 19:14 says, “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'” When we see ourselves as more important or capable than we truly are, then we are moving away from God and are weak in faith. Those who trust themselves, likely do not trust God. To draw near to God we must do so with humility, understanding that He alone has all knowledge and power.

Most parents give loving instructions to their children to help them learn good character attributes and the good things that they should do. Despite the many words we may use in these instructions, our own character and what we do as parents is a better teacher. We can demonstrate compassion for those in need, not just tell our kids to be kind. We can show gratefulness for kindnesses shown to us, not just tell our kids to say, “Thank you!”

Matthew 18:32-33 says, “Then his master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should you not have mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'” Let us show mercy to one another, just as Jesus and the Father have shown mercy to us. The Father demonstrated His mercy by sending His own Son to die on the cross in order to redeem us from our sins and give us forgiveness. Having received such a powerful gift of mercy and demonstration of the Father’s mercy, how can we withhold mercy from those who may harm us?

Many of us have our day planned before we wake up in the morning. Often the day is planned for us with kids activities, family gatherings, work meetings, and necessary errands. It is easy going through the day without thinking about whether we are doing the right or most beneficial things.

Psalm 143:8 says, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” When you rise up in the morning ask God to reveal His love for you and teach you what you should do in the new day. Following His plan, designed in love for you, will make your day the most fruitful and pleasing that it can be.

I have given up on the television weather reports. Despite the meteorologists best efforts and the science, weather forecasts are routinely inaccurate in some way. So I have long advocated and lived by the theory that the best weather forecast is obtained by simply going outside and observing the signs.

Matthew 16:4 says, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Knowing how to interpret the weather is important. But observing what God is doing around you and the dangers of our culture are essential to living the life God designed for you.

For those of us who struggle with saying the right things in the right way, any conversational encounter can be daunting. The awkwardness is only magnified when the conversation is with someone we esteem or the subject matter is important. We want to express ourselves clearly and accurately, but the proper words and expressions are difficult to come by.

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.” When you pray, don’t worry about speaking the right words, because the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself step in and make your requests to the Father. Just remember to speak from your heart and your spirit.