Reluctant Retiree

I still have some old clothes in my closet. They are comfortable and remind me of good times. But generally when I have dirty or ragged old clothes on, I take them off and put them aside. Some get laundered, but many get permanently discarded.

God offers us a new set of spiritual clothing. He wants us to put away old clothes stained by our selfishness and self-centeredness. He offers us robes of Jesus’ righteousness. All we have to do is confess that our current clothing is soiled by pride and sin and humbly accept and trust in His righteousness.

Colossians 3:8-10 says, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Rather than living in our selfish dirty rags, let’s allow God to dress us in the fine linen of Jesus’ righteousness.

The book of Genesis in the Bible tells the bewildering story of Joseph’s life. He experienced the lowest lows and the highest of highs. Until age 17, Joseph was his father’s favorite son among 12 sons. He enjoyed the benefits of this lofty status, but his brothers hated him. They sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Joseph worked hard and found favor with his master, and was eventually put in charge of his master’s affairs and household. An untrue accusation landed Joseph in prison. Again, Joseph found favor with the jailer and was put in charge of the prisoners. Later, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was put in charge of the entire kingdom. Why?

Genesis 39:21 explains, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave him favor.” Even in the bad times, God was with Joseph. How? Because God was building in Joseph the character within to be able to properly handle the success to come. God works from the inside out. He builds character within us to prepare us to properly manage the work He was prepared for us. It is important to remember that Joseph stayed faithful to God through the ups and downs. It is also important to note that the favor Joseph enjoyed was given by God. Joseph knew this and remained true to God through the good and bad times.

When we are going through tough times, we must remember that God is faithful and with us in steadfast love. He is working in us to prepare us for the good times in the future and the works He has planned for us.

Self-help books load up library and bookstore shelves. Instagram and other social media are filled with so called influencers offering advice on how to make your life more productive and rewarding. Early and late night television offer paid commercial programs that promise a beautiful life.

However, II Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed in the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” True and lasting life transformation comes from the Lord. We receive it by faith and experience it by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As this transformation progresses over time we become more and more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

We use the adjective “perfect” to describe many things that are not in fact perfect. A pitcher can throw a perfect game in baseball, but did not throw every pitch exactly where he wanted. We can capture a photo of a perfect moment, knowing all along that many imperfections of relationships or scenery are in that moment. We may even describe a relationship as perfect while secretly identifying the problems in the relationship.

God is not calling perfect people to be His children. He knows the hearts of men and that a perfect person does not exist. We don’t have to clean ourselves up to come to Him. We could never be clean enough to approach a holy God.

Psalm 25:5 says, “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” We can only come to God through His mercy and love. It is through His own sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross that we can receive salvation and redemption. It is this great evidence of God’s mercy and love for lost people that magnifies the perfection of God. He is rich in mercy and His love is abundant, steadfast and eternal. Don’t wait to become a better person to place your trust in God. Instead, trust in His perfection of mercy and steadfast love.

My wife and I have worked as volunteers for several disaster relief projects in the last few years. One sight amazes me every time that I see it, that is the damage that water does. Water is not stopped by walls, nor most anything else. Once an area is flooded, water seeps in everywhere and destroys most everything. Once water touches walls, furniture, appliances, and other belongings most of those things must be discarded.

Song of Solomon 8:7 gives an interesting picture of love when it says, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither an floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.” Love is more valuable than anything else we can receive. We all know this. We write songs about it. Great books and art have sought to demonstrate its impact upon us. We know what it feels like to be “in love”. We spend our whole lives seeking love. But do we ever find it and know what it is like to receive true love?

I know for certain that we can find love in one place, in God. And His love is perfect in every way. We can do nothing to earn it. He abundantly loves us because He is love. However, to know this love more completely, we must trust Him. This means we must give our lives to Him in response to His love for us. He has demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die for our salvation and redemption. His love is steadfast and eternal and does not depend upon us being good. His love permeates every part of us, but unlike floodwaters, His love heals, restores, edifies, and redeems. Yes, indeed, we can find true and perfect love in the love of God.