Reluctant Retiree

I hike nature trails almost every day. I love enjoying the outdoors and nature. God has revealed Himself to me in many ways on these hikes. One thing I have noticed is that I never see the whole trail at one time. Sometimes I can see more of the trail than others. How much I can see depends on the twists and turns of the trails and the obstacles in my way.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God promises to lead us in the way that we should go. But He doesn’t reveal the whole path beforehand. Generally He gives us only enough light to take the next step. Why doesn’t He show us the whole way before we begin moving? I can think of at least two reasons. First, if we saw the whole path beforehand it would probably frighten us. We will probably need to take risks that we are not comfortable with and do things we believe are beyond our abilities. Secondly, He doesn’t reveal the whole path so as to cause us to trust Him. He wants us to take the first step believing that He has the next step under control. We can trust Him as we remember that He is good, He is able, and that He has always been faithful to us in the past. God has amazing things in store for us if we will only trust Him one step at a time.

Things don’t always happen when we want them to occur. Even when we have right motives, events don’t proceed as we would like sometimes. This frustrates us as we have trouble patiently waiting. Even when we have a good idea when something will occur we don’t like the waiting. For instance, babies are generally born nine months after conception. We all know this and understand that we will have to wait nine months. But that doesn’t always keep us from displaying impatient behavior.

Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” I don’t pretend to know what factors constituted the fullness of time for God to send His Son to die for us. I do know that He demonstrated that we cannot be saved by our own righteousness and works. Jesus was born of a woman under the Jewish law, thus showing us that the law or religious practices could not save, but only God can redeem us. God paid a precious price for our redemption, the death of His Son. But God redeemed this death by resurrecting His Son. By doing so, Jesus overcame death and is able to give us new life, eternal life. We can be adopted out of the family of death into His family of life eternal. We need only to believe and trust in Him.

In a good family, each member is honored. While each member has different roles within the family, all are valued. Love is universally shared. Everyone encourages and does not condemn the others. While personalities and attitudes vary among family members, the contributions of each member is praised and uplifted.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters. God calls His children beloved and draws them into an everlasting love. We may look different and behave differently, but we are counted as valuable members of His family. We have received the blessing that Abraham received by faith and are joint heirs with Christ of all the Father has to offer His children.

Galatians 3:28-29 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” In God’s family we are truly one. Each receives the blessings of God and is never condemned.

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.