Reluctant Retiree

I hike 10-12 miles everyday, except Sunday. On Mondays I am strong and the hike seems to be no trouble at all. By Thursday, I am getting weaker and really wouldn’t mind taking a day off. By Saturday, it becomes a real chore to hit the trails and keep going. Endurance takes practice and some motivation to continue. I have kept going because of my desire to be healthier and stronger, after a major health setback four years ago.

In Revelation 14:12 an angel prays for believers saying, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” God has called us to faithful endurance. We quickly learn that we are unable to be both faithful and strong for long periods of time. We need God’s help. So the angel asks God to give us the necessary endurance. On our part, we must continue in obedience and faith in Jesus. Focusing on His love for us and our future eternal home with Him gives us plenty of motivation to endure whatever struggles we face in this world.

Ponce de Leon is believed to have searched for the Fountain of Youth. Many people of my generation would like to find this fountain so that they can become young again. I am not so enamored with the idea because I don’t want to make the same mistakes again or even create a new set of errors.

Titus 3:4 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

Renewal and regeneration is waiting for each of us. God has prepared it for us through his mercy. We cannot earn it or do enough good to achieve it through our own efforts. We must simply receive it by faith. While we will not become young again, God promises to make us into a new creation, becoming more like Him. And eventually we will be in His presence with a new resurrected body that will never decay or suffer. Real true regeneration awaits you in the loving kindness and goodness of God. Trust Him!

When I am listening to someone speak, sometimes my mind wanders and I don’t understand what they are saying. I may miss out on something important that they have to say. To gain wisdom and understanding, in personal matters and in life, we must earnestly seek wisdom and try to understand its truths as they apply to our lives.

Proverbs 2:1-2 says, “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making you ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.” The way to wisdom is through God’s Word. In it God gives us instructions for life and truths to understand. We do ourselves great harm if we ignore these instructions and try to get by on our own meager understanding. Diligently seek God’s wisdom and understand His truths.

Where we look governs what happens next. We all know these warnings; “look before you leap”, “look both ways before crossing the street”, “look before you step forward”, and “look forward and not behind”. Looking entails knowing what dangers lie ahead and trusting that you are ready to move.

Psalm 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Look to the Lord and you will never be disappointed. Looking, in this context, means to seek the Lord diligently and trust Him to act on your behalf. He will not necessarily make the things you fear go away, but He will surely give you the ability to move ahead and through the fears to His blessings.

We have all been harmed by empty words spoken to us. Politicians frequently make promises that they cannot or will not keep. Salespeople speak freely about the wonderful features of their product or service, knowing full well that they are overstating the benefits. Family members and friends promise undying love but leave at the first sign of trouble. Empty words are spoken in order to make the speaker feel better about themselves.

Ephesians 5:6 says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Even in our spiritual lives, people will use empty words to deceive us. They speak in this way in order to justify their evil works. Everything that we hear and read must be tested against the truth of God’s Word. Only in this way can we be sure that we are not led astray from the truth. All wisdom comes from God, not the ideas of foolish people.