Reluctant Retiree

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Thanksgiving is important for several reasons. First, God commands us to be thankful. Secondly, it demonstrates our humility. Thirdly, it helps us be aware of God’s many gifts to us. Next, giving thanks is the antidote to discouragement. Then, it keeps us from a complaining and bitter spirit. Which then, of course, contributes to our mental and physical well-being.

Thanksgiving is not just a one day event, but it is meant to be an attitude of gratitude. Let this Thanksgiving begin a change of heart within all of us.

Sometimes I do things that give joy to people. Of course, seeing the joy on their faces, gives me satisfaction and joy as well. But I am not so sure that my presence alone brings pleasure to people, other than my family and friends. What a glorious feeling it must be to know that yours or my mere presence could bring pleasure to others.

Psalm 149:4-5 says, “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.” God takes pleasure in His people. It doesn’t say that He takes pleasure in the good things that they do, although I am sure that He does. It says that He takes pleasure in His people.

What determines whether you are one of God’s people? As the verse says, it begins with humility. Humility is the understanding that we are not God, but that we need Him. We need God’s forgiveness for our rebellion against Him in trusting ourselves over Him. We need His salvation by grace to save us from His wrath against sin. We need His daily supply of our needs. And we simply need His love.

So enjoy the food, fun, and friends/family over the holidays. But even greater joy can be ours by knowing that God takes pleasure in us. Then we can exult in glory. Then we can sing for joy on our beds.

Do you ever feel like there are many good things you would like to do, but you just don’t have the time, resources and energy to do them? What if I told you that there is a bank where you can make withdrawals of time, energy, and resources but you will never find yourself overdrawn?

Such a bank, so to speak, does exist. It is called the grace of God. We can make unlimited withdrawals of time, energy, and resources, but we are limited in how we can use these withdrawals. We can only use them to do the good works that God has designed for us. If we try to use them for selfish reasons, then we will find ourselves overcommitted for the time available, worn out, and without the resources to continue.

Immediately after God’s Word says, “God loves a cheerful giver,” it says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8 So as we give our time, energy, and resources to do the good works of helping others, in His grace God is abundantly replenishing our supply. How much? All sufficiency. For what? All things. When? At all times. Why? So that we may abound in every good work.

Make a withdrawal today by doing some selfless act of kindness for someone. Then check your balance and see that God has replenished your supply.

Thanksgiving is this week and we remember the things for which we are grateful. It is good to reflect on the gifts we have received and the things that happened for which we give thanks. But it would also be good to ponder what we can give others. I am not just talking about the Christmas gifts we will be giving, but rather what we can give that we truly and significantly help others. These gifts reach down into the soul of another person and include the time and effort to do something meaningful for others.

II Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” When we give from our heart cheerfully, we are like God, who freely gives us what we most need. Cheerful giving pleases God. Let’s expand our giving this holiday season to giving more of ourselves than just material gifts. Let’s be open to giving time and effort to help those who need assistance.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3

God formed you and created you to be a gift, a reward to your parents. More than that even, He created you as a gift to Himself. With all of the idiosyncrasies and failures that we develop, God put into us the attributes that we would need to be a blessing to others and a praise to God.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” Psalm 127:4

Arrows are designed to move swiftly and directly to a target. We also were created by God to move swiftly and directly toward a target, becoming like Jesus and serving His purposes. We must not let the whims of worldly influence affect our path to the target. Let’s get back on the direct path to the purposes for which the Creator designed us.