Reluctant Retiree

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.

As I am getting older my posture is becoming a little more hunched over. I am doing what I can to prevent this change, but it is a constant battle. I have noticed that a lot of people seem to have the same tendency and it is not always a symptom of aging. Sometimes the burdens that we carry in life translate into our posture and we tend to hunch ourselves.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” One of the evidences of love is helping people when we become aware of their needs. Burdens are much lighter for everyone when they are shared. We can impact lives for the good, by simply opening our eyes to the needs around us and letting the love of God be manifested through us by serving others.

It amazes me that our higher institutions are becoming more biased by the day. Just look at our courts and prosecutors’ offices. It has become the norm for decisions to be based upon political ideology rather than equity and justice. We have lost our nonpartisan integrity when it comes to justice.

On an individual level, we are no different. Our opinions are based on selfish and self-centered concerns rather than equity and righteousness. We make decisions about people based upon our personal judgements about their lifestyles, appearance, and whatever else we value, rather than their value as individuals. Our judgments are no better than the courts, because our judgments are just as biased.

Psalm 99:4 says, “The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” The only person who can judge in purity and righteousness is God. He has no personal bias or political agenda. He just simply wants what is good, true and right. He always judges with equity. He established the basis for justice. We must learn from Him and deal with people in equity from a pure heart. Apart from God’s wisdom our judgments are simply biased opinion rather than equity and justice.