Reluctant Retiree

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

What kind of love is this? It is a compassionate love, realizing that we were lost and helpless. It is a sacrificial love, willing to suffer loss for our good. It is an expensive love, giving us what only He could offer. It is a pure love, with no selfish motives or benefits. It is an abundant love with no limits. It is a steadfast love that never changes. It is an eternal love that never ends.

“For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 57:10

A few years ago, a wealthy man hid a million dollars somewhere in New Mexico. He publicized the existence of the hidden treasure and periodically published clues to its location in the form of riddles. Dozens of treasure hunters began the hunt for the treasure. I believe that someone finally found the million dollars recently. This person correctly deciphered the clues and followed this knowledge to his reward.

Colossians 1:27 says, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” God chose to make known to us His plan and provision for our salvation. The reward for finding these riches is the hope of glory. He gave His message to the apostles and prophets, who faithfully declared God’s mercy. We must follow the clues we have been given through their words and through God’s own Son Jesus Christ. The reward, which is far greater than any worldly treasure, is not just available to one treasure hunter, but rather is prepared for all who believe in Jesus.

At the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, you can see the handprints of various celebrities on the Walk of Fame. But you can’t discern anything about these people from the handprints and autographs in the clay. You can look at a photograph and discern a little more about a person than from a handprint. But you can’t assess a person’s character from a photo. We get to know people from shared conversations and experiences over time.

In the same way, we get to know God by living with Him in a close relationship over a period of time. The relationship begins with us acknowledging our need for His forgiveness and then placing our lives in His hands. Then we grow in our knowledge of Him by faithfully walking with Him and learning from Him.

Hebrews 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” After declaring that Jesus is the exact imprint of God, this verse states that Jesus is now seated with the Father on His majestic throne. While we can know God now by walking with Jesus and learning from Him, some day we will be present with Him before the Majestic One and spend eternity in His glory. Then we will know fully.

My sister and brother-in-law have come to visit for a few days. Since we live in the Midwest and they live in California, we don’t see each other very often. So we are happy to have them stay with us. I admit that I am not the best at showing hospitality, but I will give it my best shot. Hopefully they will feel welcomed and we will all enjoy the time together. I am sure that my wife will make up for my deficiencies.

Romans 12:13 says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Paul included this admonition at the end of a list of good things that we should all do. But why include this statement in a list of basic admonitions for righteous living? I believe it’s because that contributing to the needs of others, without expectation of receiving anything in return, is like a demonstration of God’s grace to us. God freely gives His grace to His people in the form of salvation, redemption, love, mercy, goodness, and blessings without number. When we freely give what we can to others, we are reflecting the grace of God. Let’s practice freely giving like we have freely received.

On my morning hike I watched as the rain began to fall. I saw the water trickle down into the street gutters. My hope was that the water would be captured for good use. Rain is most productive when it lands on good soil. Good soil receives the rain and combines it with its own nutrients and the farmer’s care to produce crops that feed us all.

God also showers the world with salvation and righteousness. The question is, are we good soil? Are we open to receiving the Lord’s salvation and righteousness, along with His care, to produce the fruit of righteousness in and through our lives?

Isaiah 45:8 says, “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.”