Reluctant Retiree

While watching sports at any level, we have all seen the athlete who seeks personal glory over team honors. They hog the ball and take all the shots without regard for the success of the team. When they score, they begin a well choreographed act that brings attention to themselves and ignores the well-played contributions of other team members. Any success that these teams may achieve is generally short lived, as team morale sinks over time.

God designed us to function differently as members of a team, family, and church. I Corinthians 12:24-26 says, “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

In these verses God is using the analogy of the human body to describe how teams/families/churches should function. Every member of the human body is important and needs the other parts of the body to help it function properly. In the same way we need the other members of our teams/families/churches to work together. We are at our best when we seek to honor and care for each other within the team. Then we increase our effectiveness and decrease division.

Roman soldiers carried a shield large enough to protect them from head to toe against the onslaught of enemy arrows. The shields were also soaked with water to extinguish fiery arrows.

Although we are not acquainted with this type of shield, we do employ different ones today. Police officers, who serve and protect us, are identified by a particular shield. We contract with various services to protect us in a variety of ways. Blue Shield for health care protections, American Home Shield for property protection, and Car Shield for auto maintenance protection are just a few of these services.

But God offers far more comprehensive protection to those who trust in Him. Psalm 3:3-4 says, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.” What does God protect us from? Anything outside His powerful and perfect purpose for us. Where does He protect us? He is a shield of protection on our every side. To whom does He offer this protection? Everyone who calls upon Him in faith.

Insurance coverage only protects us in very limited circumstances. Weapons can only offer limited security. Our personal resources to protect ourselves are far from perfect. God offers unlimited and powerful security to those who trust in His love and faithfulness.

After navigating life’s highways for years you come to a place where the road divides and heads into two different directions. You are unsure which way to go so you consult Google Maps. One road looks shorter and wider, but it seems to go uphill. The other road is narrower and appears to be a bit rough in places. But Google Maps suggests the narrower road as the sure way to get to your destination. You decide to trust your instincts and choose the wide road. You notice a convenience store at the side of the road, so you go in to get all the supplies you think you will need for your trip.Ah, the choice is made and you have gathered supplies, so you head uphill. Soon you are caught in a storm and heavy rain. You don’t know what to do, so you keep charging uphill. The rain stops but is quickly followed by strong headwinds. Moving forward is hard and now you are sorry that you got all these supplies that are weighing you down. After the winds die down a heavy fog engulfs the road so that it is difficult to even see the road. Still you don’t know what else to do, so you keep trudging forward. Finally you see bright sunshine and can see clearly. Unfortunately you find that you have gone in circles and have made no progress uphill.

If you had taken the other road, you would have found that Google was right. The road is narrow and rocky at times. Just when you feel like you can’t keep going, some kind person comes and offers to carry your load and give you a shoulder to lean on. You go a bit farther and the road gets difficult once again. But again some kind person comes along to help you keep going. This happens time and time again. Then you notice that the kind person that comes to help you is the same person every time. You don’t know how he finds you each time but you are surely grateful that he does. He inspires you to try to become like him and help others who you find struggling along the way.

In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” People choose between two paths to God. Most choose the path of self-righteousness, where they trust in their own wisdom and goodness. It is a wide road with false promises and disastrous outcomes. This road will have you working hard, but getting no closer to Holy God. The other road is narrower and less traveled. Instead of self-righteous efforts, those who take this road trust in God’s righteousness and mercy. They face difficulties and struggles, but trust in the God who promised to carry their burdens. These people find mercy and grace to help in time of need. They know that the kind person who keeps showing up to help is God, Himself.

Choose the right path to God. Instead of consulting Google about where to go, try looking into God’s Word, the Bible, for trustworthy directions for finding God. He stands ready along the road to offer you mercy and grace to help.

John Chapter 4 tells the story of a woman from Samaria. She came to draw water from a well at the same time that Jesus was resting at the same place. Jesus engages her in a lengthy conversation after asking her for a drink. He listens intently to her and asks questions to demonstrate that He understands. As He does this, the conversation is directed toward her real need of what Jesus called “living water”. As God, Jesus perfectly knew her life story and her heart. His thoughtful listening and asking questions drew her to the point of expressing her deepest needs.

Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purpose of a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” We must develop the skill of active listening, like Jesus demonstrated. Instead of thinking about what we will say next, we should intently listen and seek understanding. We have developed a culture of debate where we rush in with our opinions. This only breeds argument and division. With a higher level of understanding built upon listening, we can mend the fences that separate us. So take some time today to actively and sincerely listen to your partner, friend and/or business associates. Let’s start bringing our circle of influence together.

I know nothing about precious gems. I have never held one in my hands, let alone owned one. I would not be able to identify a real diamond as opposed to a fake one.

The Bible gives us lots of ways to identify a true believer in Jesus Christ. Lots of people claim to be followers of Jesus, but something doesn’t add up when we look at them. We are told that true believers will do good works and bear fruit.

Paul gives us more clues as to identification of real Christians. I Timothy 1:5 says, “The purpose of my instruction is that all Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.” So we can know a true disciple by his/her love. Jesus said the same thing in John 13:34-35; “So I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Secondly, the true believer will have a clear conscience, because he/she has been acting out of love for others and for Jesus. Thirdly, the true believer will have a sincere faith. When faced with troubles or decisions, the true believer will act through trusting in God.

The attributes of pure love, clear conscience, and sincere faith help us to identify true believers among those around us. But they can also be the basis of testing our faith. Do we measure up, or is there something that we should confess and ask God to correct in us? And these attributes form the foundation for our teaching of others.