Reluctant Retiree

This morning I hiked to Fidler Pond around the time of sunrise. I love the beauty of sunrises. From a small single point of light on the horizon, the sun rises and illuminates the heavens and the earth. The colors are spectacular and cheer my soul.

Sunrises also remind me of God’s invitation to us. As we rise every morning God is calling us and extending His loving hands toward us. He is inviting us to join Him at His glorious throne and to enjoy the blessings He has stored up for us. All we have to do is trust Him and submit to His call upon us. There we will find even more beauty than the greatest sunrise.

Psalm 50:1-2 says, “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.”

In our society we are always fighting the battle of wanting more. Advertising tells that we can get more and be more happy. We work hard at our jobs so that we can acquire more. We have our children in more activities, so that they can experience more, while we just get more tired. We believe and act like getting more provides greater satisfaction.

The apostle Paul experienced something quite different and wrote, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

Learn the secret of contentment, which I believe is gratefulness. When we are thankful for what we have, what we don’t have fades from our thoughts. Having more, just brings more responsibility and effort to maintain. Thanking God for what we have, whether it is a little or a lot, changes our perspective and improves our attitudes.

What we focus our attention on determines our attitudes in many cases. For instance, if I focus on my circumstances, I can become anxious or fearful. If I focus on the hurt others have caused me, I will likely become angry. However, if I concentrate on the good things that I have received, I will be grateful and encouraged.

The psalmist wrote, “To you I will lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!” Looking up to God, reminds us of the many blessings we have received. In this way we become focused on the help and mercy that He provides, and not on the problems before us. He gives us hope, peace, joy, and comfort. Look up! He wants to help you.

Suppose your boss suddenly gives you a major project to do, affecting the long-term outlook for the company. Furthermore, suppose that this project involves knowledge that you don’t already possess. What would you do first?

Consulting with experts may be a good place to start. You have to increase your knowledge before making projections and plans. You may need their expertise to determine the rewards, risks, environmental concerns, and potential obstacles, among other factors.

James 5:13-15 says, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit ‘, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”

Making plans without first consulting God and asking for His wisdom is foolish. He knows your future and maintains authority over your destiny. Making plans without His wisdom may find you going directly against God, a fearsome task. He is the expert in all fields of knowledge. Asking Him to direct our steps is wise and always beneficial.

Indiana has a lot of two lane country roads. I often drive these roads to get to our grandchilren’s many sporting events and concerts. Many times I will get frustrated with slow traffic in front of me, keeping me from arriving at my destination when I want to get there. I get angry because my desired outcome is not obtained.

James 4:2 says, “You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” We get angry when we don’t get what we want. At those times we should ask God to provide what we need, not just what we want. When we are willing to wait upon God for His provision for our needs, our wants are put in the background and our anger passes away. In providing for our needs, He will give us every good and perfect gift, far beyond what we desired.