Reluctant Retiree

If we life long enough we will find ourselves in a situation where we need to be comforted. It could be as a result of the loss of a loved one. Or we may need to be comforted when we suffer financial problems. We find that the best comfort is provided by sensitive people who have suffered similar turmoil. The companionship of similar afflictions touches our hearts and eases our minds unlike any other counsel. In the same way, we can best comfort others when we ourselves have suffered in the same manner as those to whom we offer comfort.

II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” When God blesses us, He expects us to use what we have received to bless others. So when we receive comfort from God, we should find ways to similarly comfort someone suffering affliction. All comfort for those who are suffering comes from God. But we can be the conduit for passing on the comfort which we have received.

We have become accustomed to people challenging authority. Parents question the decisions of school boards and teachers. Citizens protest the actions of law enforcement. Protesters march and gather to voice their opinions regarding Supreme Court rulings. Challenging authority has become so commonplace that we are moving toward chaos in many ways.

However, there is one authority that we should never question, the authority of God. Isaiah 45:18-19 says, “For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): I am the Lord, and there is no other. I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.” God’s authority rests in His nature. He alone is God Almighty and there is no other god. He created all things and gives life. He speaks only the truth. He reigns supreme over all things. Therefore He declares what is right. Sometimes we think we know what is right and act accordingly. However, only God knows what is really right.

Make it a habit to listen to what God tells you and act according to His words. Start by submitting to His authority over your life and trust Him for salvation and redemption.

Have you ever found yourself driving the wrong way. It is embarrassing and costly to go the wrong way. Most of the time I don’t have this problem, because my wife is an avid map reader and good navigator. But left on my own, I can make some major errors. I remember making a wrong turn down a unfamiliar street only to find myself going the wrong direction on a one way street. To make matters worse, a police car was headed straight toward me. Fortunately, the officer had mercy on me and let me go without a citation.

Many things may contribute to us or others becoming lost in life. We can make wrong choices that take us down the wrong path. Circumstances may lead us away from going the right way. No matter what causes us to go astray, we need the truth to correct our ways.

II Timothy 4:2 says, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching.” Followers of Jesus Christ know the truth, having God’s Word to teach us. We have the responsibility and God’s call upon us to guide people to the truth, through godly living and speaking God’s truth. If we ourselves have gone the wrong way, we must return to God, repenting of our sins.

I was halfway through my 7 mile hike this morning when pouring rain began to fall. I was contemplating where to find shelter when the rain stopped falling. I was not prepared for the rain because I had read the weather forecast before starting the hike and it said it would be mostly sunny. So instead of enjoying the blessing of a much needed rainfall, I was busy thinking about what to do and complaining about my circumstances.

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.” Perhaps the reason that we don’t feel that we are receiving the Lord’s blessings is that we are not open to receiving them. God is good and is continuously raining down His blessings upon us. However, if we are busy thinking about what we must do and complaining about our circumstances, like I was this morning, then we are not open to receiving God’s blessings. We are missing out on the best things of life.

I pray that you and I will open our hearts to God’s blessings, especially those of salvation and righteousness. Let His blessings bring us peace and joy while inspiring us to spread love and compassion to the world around us.

In America we are proud of our individualistic society. We work diligently to carve out our own niche in our world. We want to be different than everyone else and yet still admired by everyone. We create our own look and lifestyle. We reprimand others for intolerance while believing that our way is the only right way.

Yet, above us Almighty God sits enthroned in majesty. From man’s perspective there are many roads to God and possibly many gods to choose from. But in Isaiah 45:5 God says, “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.” This God created all things and rules sovereign over all things. We have no need to search further. There is only one God. Follow Him only and always.