Reluctant Retiree

I have noticed that many people are more interested in speaking rather than being heard. They just want the attention and the ability to be the center of focus for their listening audience. Whether or not they are understood, they just want to speak their words.

It seems that we are in a rush in every part of our lives. We are pushed to produce on the job. Our kids’ many activities cause us to hurry from one place to another and rely on fast foods for meals. We get frustrated in traffic because it is not moving fast enough to meet our needs.

All this speaking and rushing is contrary to God’s plan for our lives. James 1:19-20 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” While the world pushes us to hurry up, God wants us to wait upon Him. We cannot produce the fruit of righteousness without God’s help and power. While our inclination is to speak first, God wants us to have a posture of listening first. We cannot obtain wisdom if we are only spouting what we think or know. Let’s slow down to listen to God and others, while waiting to receive wisdom and power from God.

I am a bit awkward in social situations, so I often have trouble determining the right gift to give someone, even close relatives. Oh, I can probably find acceptable gifts, but a truly meaningful gift often escapes me. Why is it so hard to determine what someone will want, let alone cherish?

Fortunately God does not have that problem. Because He knows us so well and gives to us out of His abundant love and matchless wisdom, He never struggles in determining just what we need and at the perfect timing to meet our needs. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God provides us with every good and perfect gift that we could ever need or imagine. Because He doesn’t change, we can trust Him to always provide what we need.

What is the last time that you spontaneously celebrated? What makes you jump up from your seat and pump your fist in the air? Or what was the last thing that make you cry tears of joy? We can be thus moved by a variety of things. Perhaps it was a child’s birth, a big victory for your favorite team, or an act of heroism. These and many other things are worthy of celebration.

Psalm 99:4 gives us another reason to celebrate when it says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyful song and sing praises!” God has done great things for us. He provided for our salvation through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He has redeemed us from a life of slavery to sin and given us a new life of freedom. He provides our needs and protects us from evil. These are just a few of God’s awesome works on behalf of His children, but they are certainly cause for celebration. Today, go ahead and break loose from the societal norms to celebrate our God. Laugh, enjoy life, and sing praises to God. Maybe even jump up and down and give God a high five.

We have all heard speakers that influenced our lives. They may be motivational speakers, pastors, politicians, or celebrities. Sometimes our emotions are overwhelmed by what we have heard. Sometimes we make changes to our lives based upon what we have heard.

The Bible tells the story of one such speaker. Stephen is described as a man full of grace and power. He was speaking to a large gathering in Jerusalem, when the leaders became enraged at what he said and arrested him. They made all sorts of accusations against him. Stephen addressed the leaders with a rather long speech. Through their anger, the leaders could not refute what Stephen said.

Acts 6:10 says, “But they (the leaders) could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” Stephen was so filled with God’s Spirit and wisdom that he could not be overtaken by the wisdom of men. We can have the same impact upon others by also depending on the wisdom of God. His wisdom is powerful and cannot be refuted.

It is an observable phenomenon that we tend to become like the people we spend time with. An old saying is true: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” When we spend time with people that exhibit good character, some of that good character will rub off on us. And, of course, if we spend time with those with loose morals, we will slowly adopt some of their bad attitudes and behaviors.

Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Jesus followers exhibit transformed character that astonishes those around them. It is because they spend time with Jesus. In fact, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, comes to reside within the true believer in Jesus.

Want your life to change for the better? Why not learn more about Jesus? His light will begin to shine in you and for you? When you give your life to Jesus, you will be transformed.