Reluctant Retiree

“Better Together” is a slogan and saying that is used under many situations today. I have seen churches, charity organizations, disaster affected areas, and businesses using this phrase to inspire unity and drive effectiveness. But just being together can be useful or harmful. We have differing personalities, tastes, and values, which can bring discord and unproductiveness. It is only when we share the same objectives in humility that being together produces unity and productivity.

Luke 10:2 says, “And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” God’s work is plentiful and many more people still need Him. Will you join His laborers and bring in the harvest? Will you allow God to use you to bear fruit for Him and glorify His name? Will you draw upon the Holy Spirit’s power to unify and bear fruit?

What do you see when you look into the mirror? I am not just thinking about your personal appearance. What kind of person do you see? Do you see a confident and positive person? Or rather, do you see someone who is negative and discouraged? At one time or another we will see both types of people when we look into the mirror. But one habit, that of constantly judging others, will affect our attitude and the way we see ourselves.

Luke 6:37-38 says, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” We need to go easy on other people, forgiving them rather than complaining about them. After all Jesus has forgiven us in His act of great mercy on the cross. When we refuse to judge and condemn others, we are less likely to judge and condemn ourselves. When we forgive others, we are more likely to forgive ourselves and see the positive person in the mirror. Let’s work on forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us. The world and our relationships will benefit.

Have you ever felt like you were invisible. I sure have and often. I can be in a group situation and feel like no one values my presence or contributions to the group. I am an introvert and also have difficulty hearing, especially in group settings. So I contribute to my own feelings of invisibility. But it sure is nice when others ostensibly put effort into including you.

Luke 8:37 says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Nothing we do is hidden from God, as He even knows our thoughts, attitudes, joys, struggles, hopes, and dreams. He is deeply interested in us and understands us in more ways than we know. He wants to include us in the works that He is doing around us and is just waiting for us to ask Him to help us.

My granddaughter has a favorite Teddy Bear. She takes the bear everywhere and is not happy if the bear is not with her. She doesn’t always play with the bear, but the presence of the bear gives her comfort.

In Matthew 28:20 Jesus says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” There is no place that you can go that Jesus will not be with you, whether it is a place you are now familiar with or someplace in the future that you do not know now. Because Jesus is human, He understands you. Because Jesus is divine, He can help you in everything. He is more than a companion, He is a constant help and comfort.

I am driving down the highway when someone passes me, pulls into my lane with less space than I am comfortable with, and then presses on their brakes. This is one of my pet peeves because of the danger that is involved. But I have a choice at this point. I can get angry and dry to exact revenge or I can simply pray for that person and try to find a way to do good. My natural impulse is to get revenge by passing them and doing a quick lane change in front of them. If I yield to that impulse, I am doing no good for me or for them, but rather I am escalating the danger.

Luke 6:27-28 says, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bess those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Oftentimes, Jesus’ teaching contradicted the current cultural values and we still consider His teachings as the opposite of normal human behavior. But when He says “love your enemies and to do good for them” He knows what is good for us. Anger and revenge on those who hurt us does not achieve good, but only escalates the problem. Instead, we should pray for those who hurt us and find a way to do good for them. In most cases their behavior and their attitudes will change. It is also likely that our behavior and attitudes will also change.