Reluctant Retiree

I don’t know how often I have planned something with due diligence, only later to find disappointment at the end. I gave it my best shot, using all the ability, knowledge, and care that I could master, but the results did not live up to my forecast. Even when I have tried to do something that benefitted others, when using my own abilities, I have not succeeded as I would like.

Psalm 20:7-8 explains why, when it says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” When we depend solely on our own abilities, knowledge and strength, we will face disappointment in the truly important matters of life. No amount of good intentions, street smarts, experience, or human endeavor can secure salvation and redemption. We cannot earn God’s favor, forgiveness and mercy. Only when we fully trust in His wisdom, power, and goodness can we find the best of what life offers and the grace of God.

A stadium is crowded with 50,000 people united in cheering for their team. When their team makes a good play, the crowd rises to their feet and screams joyously. Fans of the opposing team moan in disappointment. When the game is over, everyone returns home with memories of victory or defeat. The game brings temporary satisfaction or suffering.

Isaiah 66:18 says, “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.” One day God will bring history to a close. He will gather all people before Him and we will see His glory. Just like the game, some will rejoice at seeing God’s glory and others will suffer. If we have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we will be ushered into God’s presence and rejoice forevermore. If we have rejected Jesus, then we will be thrown into eternal punishment. God judges in righteousness, because He knows our thoughts and works. We will have no opportunity to plead our case or make a defense. We already had a lifetime to accept God’s gift of salvation. I pray that you will be on the winning side at the end by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior now.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Matthew 6:12

Forgiving is a form of giving. When we forgive others we offer them peace, comfort, healing, freedom, love, hope, and reconciliation. We also give ourselves freedom from chains of unforgiveness and bitterness that seek to bind us and hold us back from who we can become. Generous people give generously and forgive freely.

Every day we are faced with dozens of choices between doing the right thing or what we want to do. If we are in a generous mood we will often choose to do the right thing by showing kindness, giving to those in need, visiting someone in the hospital, or just putting the needs of others before our wants. However, if we are not in a generous mood we will likely choose some selfish action over doing the right thing. The problem is that we are so rarely in that generous mood, if you are anything like me. Then the good thing is left undone and people suffer.

Psalm 51:12 says, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” It is good to ask God to give us a willing spirit. Left on our own we will act in a self-centered way. But God promises to inspire us and help us do the right things. Let’s ask God to give us a willing spirit and then we can change the world one kindness at a time.

One of the contradictions of hearing loss is that most noises sound better with hearing aids, but some noises become irritating when they are amplified. High pitched noises are difficult for me to bear, while low pitch voices are often unheard. I haven’t been able to solve this contradiction yet, so I just try to avoid circumstances where the sounds might be annoying and attend where the noises are pleasant. Unfortunately, I miss out on many good things this way.

However, there is one celebration that I won’t miss and can’t wait for it to happen. A great noise will erupt, but I will be healed of hearing loss and will exult in the celebration. Revelation 19:6-7 says, “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”

The apostle John thus described the return of Jesus Christ to bring all believers to Himself. We will join the greatest celebration that has ever happened as we are presented to Jesus as His bride. In response we will lift up mighty praises to the Almighty God and rejoice forevermore. You won’t want to miss this celebration, so give your life to Jesus Christ today and trust Him as your Savior and Lord.