Reluctant Retiree

At this time of year it is not unusual for people to make a list of things that they would like to receive as gifts. Of course the gift giver is not obligated to give a gift from the list. But whether a gift is given from the list or not, the giver generally seeks to give a gift that will please the recipient. With the exception of playful white elephant gift exchanges, it seems rare that a gift is given with any kind of malicious intent.

Matthew 7:11 says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” We know how to give good gifts, something that is needed or will be appreciated. God knows our thoughts, so He knows, even better than we do, what we need or truly desire. Of course, He also doesn’t necessarily give us everything we ask for, because not everything will be good for us. But He will not withhold any good thing for which we ask. God has an unlimited storehouse of blessings ready for us. But sometimes He waits for us to ask Him before He gives to us.

As is our custom, my wife and I volunteered as course monitors for the annual Turkey Stampede 10K race on Thanksgiving. We always enjoy helping at this event. At the front of the pack are always the elite runners competing. At the back of the pack are those simply out for the fun. To complete this race, all participants will need endurance.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

Just like track athletes, God has given us a race to run, which is our lives under God’s purposes. And like the athlete, we must get rid of the things that hold us back and slow us down, which are habits, bad thoughts, and sins. To make sure that we are running straight toward the finish line, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, who waits for us and is encouraging us onward. Looking in any other direction will cause us to get off track. And we must run our race with endurance to fulfill all He has given us to do and be welcomed with surpassing joy at the finish.

In our area, the Dutch Amish restaurant called Essenhaus is widely known and extremely popular. They serve heaping helpings of great food. You can smell the fried chicken or delicious baked goods for miles, it seems. The smells draw you in.

Smells have the power to bring back memories. A certain smell may remind you of the holidays in Grandma’s kitchen. Other smells may remind you of joyous locker rooms after sweet victories.

II Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” The Holy Spirit living within the lives of believers has the power to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. So much so that we are giving the Father a fragrant offering of Jesus in us. At the same time, we are representing Christ to the world. Our responsibility is to follow Jesus closely by the Spirit, so that we are a good representation of Christ to the world.

Our grandson had his first wrestling meet of the season today, and of course we went to watch. Watching a child or grandchild of yours wrestling must be like watching them do gymnastics or diving. Seated in the audience, I still found myself bending and making the other moves with him. I am amazed at the flexibility, strategy, and strength this sport requires. The athletes train hard, mastering the techniques and building strength to be successful.

We all find ourselves wrestling against fear, worry, discouragement, anger and other negative feelings or habits. We try to make excuses by saying things like, “that’s just how I am.” It may be how we normally act, but it doesn’t define us. The reality is that these negative feelings are generally initiated from outside us. Something goes wrong, so we get angry. Something important is on the horizon, so we worry. We have to do something extraordinary, so we get fearful. These negative feelings are lies that seek to harm us or disable us.

Ephesians 6:10, 12 puts the struggle this way, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The negative feelings come to us from outside of our control. We cannot fight these battles in our own strength, as our experience demonstrates. We must trust in the mighty power of God to fight the battles for us. The next time these negative feelings or thoughts begin, stop and ask God to fight for you. Over time you will find the victory that you have sought for so long.

We expect our government officials to adhere to acceped ethics while serving constituents for the common good and not personal interests. Our corporate leaders should conform to the highest moral standards while seeking to benefit company shareholders, employees, and customers. Leaders of charities must follow strict guidelines for the management of donated resources and faithfully serve the needs of their clients.

Luke 12:48 says, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” It is a fact of life that the more we acquire, the greater the responsibility we have to use these resources wisely. God has blessed His people with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” according to Ephesians 1:3. He expects us to use all these gifts wisely to bring Him glory. To the one who is not yet a believer in Jesus, God has given life and offered wisdom and love. It is their responsibility to build upon these gifts to draw closer to Him.