Reluctant Retiree

People on both sides of the political spectrum are increasingly using intimidation as a form of argument and debate. They believe that name calling and threats are the means of persuasion and victory. This style only further intrenches their opponents and ultimately separates us further.

Jesus warned His disciples that the world system would oppose them. The disciples would face intimidation and persecution from those outside the faith. Paul admonished believers in Galatians 5:1 as follows: “For freedom Christ has set you free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

When a slave was set free, he surely did all he could to remain free and never return to slavery again. Jesus set believers free by redemption through His blood on the cross. We are free from the power of sin and from our former way of life. We are free to follow Him and do the good works that we could not do before salvation came to us. We are free to experience the abundant life Jesus promised and now we can know His love, peace, joy, mercy, and goodness.

Why would we ever want to return to our former lives and its slavery? Therefore we must stand firm against those who oppose the gospel. We can only do that by knowing what we believe and trusting in the author and perfecter of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ. Rejoice! Victory and freedom are ours in Jesus Christ.

As I was sitting in another medical office today I was thinking about how most of my time is now spent in maintenance. When we are young we seek to grow physically and be stronger. As we get a bit older we seek emotional, mental and relational development. Then we work at growing our families, job satisfaction, wealth, and security. Now as a senior citizen, these areas are not growing as fast, nor as broad. I spend my time exercising for some degree of health, reading to stay sharp mentally, watching the grandkids participate in various activities to remain in contact with family, volunteering in various service projects, and visiting doctors to take care of the body parts that tend to break down. I consider all of this to be important, but more maintenance orientated rather than growth opportunities.

II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” One area that I still seek growth is in my spiritual life. As this verse says, we should seek to know God more each day. As we walk close to Him, read His Word, talk to Him in prayer, and serve Him, we will be drawn closer to Him by increasing knowledge of Him. Doing these things opens our eyes and hearts to the grace He extends to us.

Whatever stage of life you are currently in, don’t wait to begin a spiritual growth pursuit. God desires to draw you near to Him. He wants you to know Him intimately. Open your heart to receive His amazing grace. He will open your eyes to see His majesty. He will open your ears to hear His Word. And He will open your soul to salvation and redemption.

Some people walk around with a sour expression and can put people in a bad mood without even saying a word. Other people can light up a roomful of people just by walking into the room. You can’t decipher the attitude of other people by their countenance, but once they open their mouth and speak, their attitudes infect those around them. For instance, the constant complainer can bring people down quickly.

What kind of impact does your presence have upon people? What kind of impact do you want to have upon those you come in contact with? Have you thought about this before?

Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” What a different world we would have if we personally inspired love and good deeds! I want to live in such a world, so it must begin with me. I can’t do this naturally or on my own, however. I need help. So I am asking God’s Spirit to change my heart in such a way that I will inspire love and good deeds. By His grace, it will be possible.

Why not join me in a movement to change our world by the power of God in stirring up love and good deeds? Let’s ask God to start with changing our hearts to love one another and do kindness for one another.

As I walked this morning, at one particular point I looked up. I saw what seemed like a single ray of light directed at a tree. The light created an awesome display of the green leaves and red blooms on the tree. Outside the ray were the dark semblances of the tree’s form with dimmed views of its colors. The light and the color brightened my spirit. As I moved on I saw similar views on other trees. When I riched the pond the sun was viewable in its entirety. That alone was a glorious sight, but the Sun was also reflected on the pond’s surface. I stood still and soaked in the beauty before me.

Ephesians 5:8 says, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” Before becoming believers in Jesus Christ, we are all walking in darkness. But when we trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, His light begins to shine in us and through us. This light produces the fruit of all things good and right and true. We become transformed into the light of Christ likeness.

Just as the Sun’s light produces good fruit for us to eat, light from the Son of God will produce good fruit in and through us. But this light is only available to us as we walk in trust in our God.

I have made some bad decisions in my lifetime. I’ve come across things that I wanted and immediately acted on my desire. In these cases I haven’t done research into the knowledge available to me and I haven’t stopped to consider the impact of my decisions. So, predictably, I have suffered the consequences. And sometimes, others have been harmed in the process, which I deeply regret.

The Bible warns us about rushing to fulfill our desires. Proverbs 19:2 says, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” In our rush to acquire our wants, we can even get away from where we really want to go. Haste often leads us down the path of error and sin. In our hurry, we neglect God’s truth and His promises. Then we are sure to find troubles.

When considering something you want, try seeking knowledge before acting. Think about the impact of your decision. But most importantly look for God’s wisdom before acting on your desire. You can save yourself a lot of trouble, as can I by doing the same.