Reluctant Retiree

It amazes me how quickly I can judge someone else by their appearance. Some people I assess to be good people just because they look nice. Other people I would call bad people simply because they appear rough around the edges. These judgments are unfair and are likely incorrect. Even if I see a nicely dressed person doing a good deed, I am probably incorrect in my assessment because I cannot know the intentions of their hearts. Similarly, if I see a poorly dressed person do something that I deem as harsh, I am again probably wrong in my judgment because I know nothing of why they did what they did.

II Peter 3:10-11 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness.” Jesus will return soon to bring judgment upon the earth and all who live on it. Every deed that we have done in secret or in the light will be exposed. We will not be able to hide anything from Him. He knows the intentions of our hearts as well as the actions we have taken. We must be found to be living holy and godly lives, eagerly anticipating His return and doing the good works that He has purposed for us. Living holy and godly lives begins with trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Then we can walk in the light of His wisdom and by the strength of His might.

Our culture is built upon the idea that we never have enough. No matter what we own, we want more. No matter how high we get promoted, we want more. No matter how great of a vacation we just had, we can’t wait to make the next one even better. We are not satisfied with our cars, houses, jobs, bank accounts, spouses, nor opportunities.

While we want more, thinking it will make us happy, frequently it only adds to our frustration and stress levels. Have you noticed that everytime we acquire something new that it just adds to how much time we have to spend taking care of our possessions and increases the anxiety over them?

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” God has a better plan for our lives. If we will simply trust Him, He will provide everything that we need. He will probably not give us everything that we want, because that will take our hearts away from Him. But He will give us the things that we need. He doesn’t just give us the material things we need, but also things like love, protection, security, hope, mercy, truth, salvation, redemption, and real joy. And He gives us the promise that He will never leave us. You will never find a better deal anywhere. So let’s stop seeking to acquire and start resting in God’s promises.

I was taught to train others to do a specific task by explaining what must be done and how, providing an example of good performance by demonstration, observing the trainee perform the task with helpful guidance, and then allowing the trainee to perform the task themselves with quality feedback. Demonstrating good performance is a key ingredient of this process.

I Thessalonians 1:6-7 says, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” God has never left us alone to find the way of righteousness. He provided the ultimate example on godly living by giving us His Son. Then He empowers us to live righteously through the Holy Spirit living within us. God has also provided us with the examples of many godly believers through the ages, including the apostle Paul who wrote the above verses. We should imitate the lives of godly believers and, of course, the Lord’s life. Then we can become good examples of righteousness for others to follow.

When we want to become physically strong we exercise our bodies. When we wish to become mentally equipped, we read, study, and question. But we are still neglecting the most important aspect of strength building, character building. What are we doing to make our character strong so that when we face challenges, obstacles, threats, and temptations, we can move forward in inward strength?

Proverbs 24:5 says, “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.” Physical strength lasts only for a short time, but when we are equipped with wisdom in the inner person, then our strength of character endures for a lifetime. To build the strength that wisdom provides we must go to the source of wisdom, God and His Word. He enlightens the path to righteous living and proven character. Without His wisdom, we are left to flounder in the darkness. Let’s begin an exercise program to become strong in God’s wisdom, by seeking truth and righteousness in Him and His Word.

Corn grows in abundance in Indiana. It seems like every road you take goes alongside corn fields on both sides. It late summer, early fall, the corn is high and green. Farmers know just what is needed to grow strong and healthy corn. They do everything they can to provide the proper environment for the corn.

Psalm 92:12-13 says, “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.” God designed you and me to flourish. To flourish means to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way. But to flourish we need to be in the right environment. God also designed the proper environment for us to flourish, that is we must remain close to Him. We must be connected to Him like the branches are connected to a vine. Without this constant connection we do not have the necessary nourishment to grow. Get and stay connected to the vine, who is Jesus Christ our Lord.