Reluctant Retiree

Genesis 45:8 says, “So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Remarkably, he never held a grudge against them. It was his faith in God that kept him from a revenge mindset and gave him an attitude of hope in God and grace toward his brothers. Joseph saw how God had given him favor in the midst of very bad circumstances. Joseph also had an eternal perspective in knowing that God was going to use him to save his family.

If we look to people to give us the right perspective on our circumstances, we will soon become discouraged and frustrated. People can only provide us with selfish and short term understanding of events. However, if we look to God in all circumstances, we will be given hope and joy even in the hardest struggles. No matter what you are going through, remember the words, “But God.” He will be your source of strength and a bright light of hope.

I don’t know much about cooking, but I do know when the right amount of seasoning is used according to my taste. Some foods need a bit more than others and it takes talent and experience to know how much seasoning to use. The correct amount satisfies the taste buds and the soul of the consumer. In ancient times, salt was also used as a preservative to keep food fresh, as there was no refrigeration. But it was also used to render land unusable for farming. So salt can be used for both positive benefits and negative outcomes.

Our speech also has the potential to bring positive results or harmful outcomes. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Our words can heal, but they can also hurt people. We need to learn to season our speech with grace, adapted to the needs of each listener. Then we will be encouraging and blessing each person who hears our words.

Somehow tearing down your opponent with accusations, both true and false, has become the accepted manner of debate in our society. If we disagree with someone, we use harsh words to attack their point of view and their character. Both sides of the debate use the same strategy. I am here to tell you that it doesn’t work and doesn’t convince anyone that your view is correct. It only entrenches the opposition deeper into their held beliefs.

II Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” God knows what it is like to hold strongly onto the truth. He also knows what it is like to face opposition. Because He knows and has experienced great opposition with evil intentions, He commands us to be kind and gentle with everyone. It is this demonstration of love that wins over those who hold opposing views, not harshness.

Some days just do not go like we would want. There are the routine frustrations like dentist appointments, traffic, bad weather, family issues, and organizational failures. Then there are the unexpected and major troubles like a health emergency, a loved one’s death, and financial issues. Some days make us want to crawl into a ball, cover up and hide from the world. We all have these days and most are unavoidable. However, how we react is far more important than the problems. How we react has impacts upon more than the immediate situation.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is possible to have a positive attitude in the face of a bad day. By faith we can trust in the author of each day. We can believe that He only creates good things. After all, He created us. We can trust that He will be able to move us through our troubles and make something good out of them. We can observe how He works good from the midst of our struggles. If we face our troubles with these attitudes, God will work good for us and we, and those around us, will not suffer the impacts of a bad attitude..

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

These are the core truths of our faith. First, Jesus is fully God. Secondly, He made it possible for us to have peace with God through the sacrifice of His blood on the cross. When sin entered into man and into us, we became separated from God, who is completely holy. We had no means of being saved from a holy God’s wrath against sin. But God in His mercy, made a way for us to be forgiven and saved. He sent His one and only Son to take the form of man and shed His blood for us. We can now be fully reconciled to God, as He grants us peace through His own sacrifice.

Consider these truths. Also consider what they might mean for you. Apart from faith in these absolute truths we remain enemies of God and will suffer His wrath against sin. Belief in these truths and the God of these truths grants us salvation and redemption through His mercy.