Reluctant Retiree

I used to travel to China for meetings with local and national dignitaries. After the meetings they would provide a formal meal. I learned very quickly to eat and drink slowly because one dish after another was always provided. Sometimes 30-40 separate dishes were provided. Custom and manners required that I eat at least a little from each dish. So I had to pace myself or suffer the social and personal consequences. I also learned to drink Chinese tea slowly. The hosts were always quick to fill my cup even when I just took a small sip. The meals and hospitality were tremendous, but the volume of food and drink could be overwhelming.

God blesses His people. In fact, the book of Ephesians tells us that He gives His people “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. His blessings are glorious and plentiful. Psalm 36:8 says, “They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.” God’s blessings to His people come like a mighty river. These blessings will never end or even diminish, because they come from God’s abundant storehouse. God’s feast truly never ends.

Aaron Judge has power to launch majestic home runs. Aaron Donald has the power to manhandle offensive linemen. Celine Dion has the power through music to melt hearts. Presidents and Prime Ministers have the power to direct nations and influence world events. Business owners and chief executive officers wield the power of commerce to make money and employ thousands. Influential social organizations change lives through the power of their support and actions.

But power from heaven created the universe in six days by the breath of the Creator. Only His power could part the sea for His people to pass through. By His majestic power, He provided salvation for all people by sending His own Son to die for them and give His blood to cover sins. His power through His Holy Spirit living in His children gives them the ability to follow Him with love and compassion for everyone.

Luke 24:49 says, “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Jesus promised to send His Holy Spirit to His disciples. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to such extent that they are completely covered by His power. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, go forward and do His work in the power of the Holy Spirit. If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please don’t wait. Trust Him today for salvation and redemption!

It has become my habit to hike every morning for about 2 hours. I start on city sidewalks, but fortunately many nature trails are nearby. I enjoy the beauty and serenity of these trails. Sometimes I feel strong and can walk farther than normal. Monday was one of those days when I hiked more than 11 miles. Other days I feel weak and struggle to hike even the normal distance. On those days my mind is consumed with thoughts of my struggle, not enjoying the natural wonders. Today was one of these days.

In our daily lives we can face similar struggles. Some days everything falls into place and we seem to breeze through the day. Other times we face problem after problem which quickly wears us down.

The book of Isaiah gives us a promise for the days in which we struggle. Isaiah 40:31 says, “but they who wait for the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

One cause of our tiredness and weakness can be that we are operating on our own wisdom and strength. Those qualities have natural limitations. Exceed these limitations and we grow weary. However, we have another supply of wisdom and strength, that is God’s wisdom and power, which are infinite. When we wait for God’s direction and strength, we find that we can always be strong. Weariness fades into the past and we can keep moving in the right direction.

Many times I have been at work and under the pile of things I need to do immediately. Everything seems to have a short deadline and I have so few hours to do it. Other times I have been at home and it seems like every child has one or more emergencies that I need to handle. Then here come the real problems. The car needs to be fixed. Someone in the family needs to see a doctor. The check that we depended on has not come. Life can overwhelm the best of us.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” God makes these promises to His children. When the waters are swiftly moving and getting higher, like the work demands, we have peace in knowing that God is still walking with us and He cannot be overwhelmed. When life’s emergencies want to carry you downstream, like the household struggles, God will pull you to the security of the shoreline of His love through the raging river. When everything seems to be aflame, like the personal struggles, God will cover you like a shield and provide for your needs.

We can choose to believe God’s promise and enjoy the peace of trusting in the God who can deliver us through the flood. Or we can continue to focus on our problems and sink beneath the flood in despair.

As I hike through the many forests in our area, I have wondered about the numerous fallen trees that I see. I am not surprised to see fallen trees after a significant storm, but what about all the trees that fall at other times. I have read that poor soil conditions, flooding, insect infestation, and malnutrition all can cause a tree to die and eventually fall to the ground.

Colossians 2:6-7 warns us about decay in our spiritual lives (our souls) when Paul writes, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Just like a tree in the forest, we must make sure that we are continually connected to the source of our strength, Jesus Christ. Without His continual feeding of our hearts, minds, and souls, disease and decay will set in. We are rooted and built up as we walk closely with Him by faith. We walk closely when we listen to His voice through His Word and talk with Him in prayer.