Reluctant Retiree

I looked up some old sayings today. Some of the ones I found are:

“You must do the things you think you cannot do” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“The truth is more important than the facts” -Frank Lloyd Wright

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them” – Mother Teresa

“Love the life you live”

“Life is a long lesson in humility”

While each of these sayings may have an element of truth embedded within, they do not provide us with enduring value on how to live. There is only one place to find the words of eternal life, God’s Word. His Word not only instructs us on how to live now but gives us true words of encouragement for eternity.

Jesus put it this way, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Most of the things we do, say, or acquire do not possess enduring value. Therefore we must concentrate on the things and words that will last forever. Jesus’ words are truth and will remain true throughout eternity.

After countless days of rain and clouds, today is a bright sunny day. The skies are a bright blue and the sun brings a welcome warmth. Underneath the relentless clouds my attitude seems to darken. I can become somewhat pessimistic and dour. But when the sun returns, my countenance is lifted and all seems right with the world.

We are all seeking situations and places of light. Places where we are warmed in peace and joy. Situations where we are welcome and acceptance surrounds us. We seek a refuge from the storms that pursue us.Psalm 73:28 says, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

We can make God our refuge. In His presence is eternal love and glorious peace. He provides security in the midst of the storm clouds and gently leads us through the chaos of life. He always welcomes us and is eager to give us hope and acceptance. His presence is truly a place of rest and refuge.

As we look back over our lives, we can see hiw our different hopes defined the various stages of our lives. When we were very young, our hopes were centered around having fun wherever we went. Then our hopes became focused on making the team, the choir, and good grades. After that, we hoped to get into the right university or military service. Then our desires were to attract the perfect spouse and find the perfect job. Our hopes moved on to our family needs and financial goals, perhaps. As we get older we have hopes for our children and grandchildren, as well as personal concerns like health.

Hope is defined as the desire and expectation of certain things. But the Biblical definition of hope is trust. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Those who love God can “know” that God will work everything out for good. We have a confident knowledge and trust in God to be faithful to this promise and all the other promises of God.

Therefore, we can say with the psalmist, “But I will hope continually and praise you yet more and more.” Each day and eternity is filled with hope for the believer.

I was just sitting in our living room and saw the landscaping team mowing the lawns of our complex. While I am not always thankful for little things, I was moved to thanksgiving this time. I am thankful that the complex hires a team to care for the landscape. I am thankful that I don’t have to do it. I am thankful that they do a good job and the property looks good.

While you may think that thanksgiving for such mundane things is silly, developing a thankful heart really changes our attitudes about things. Complaining puts us in a negative frame of mind, but thankfulness brightens our outlook.

Thanksgiving, along with praise to God, does much more than change our attitudes. Psalm 69:30-33 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”

Thankfulness puts us in the proper humble position before God. Thanksgiving and praise please God more than any good thing that we can do. In addition, thanksgiving and praise encourages us and other believers. What small things are happening around you right now for which you can give God thanks?

Everywhere we look these days we find division amongst people. The political scene is fraught with deep disagreements. School Boards and parents are increasingly at odds. Our communities are torn apart by differing racial, social and economic viewpoints. Opinions on all sides of the disagreements are shouted down and quickly, but with uninformed prejudices.

In Luke 11:17 Jesus raised the warning flag when He said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,and a divided household falls.” Division ultimately leads to failure and destruction. But how can we overcome our divisions, while respecting the opinions of others?

The only long-term solution to our deep divisions is found in Philippians 2:1-4; “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness and empty conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Humility is the solution to our divisions. Our thoughts and opinions matter, but humility also considers the opinions of others. Humility respects the thoughts of others and finds ways to speak opinions without condemning others. Humility is not selfish or self-centered, so it looks out for the interests of others.

But note, we cannot generate humility from within. This humility comes from encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, working with God’s Spirit, and true affection and sympathy. We need God’s help to be truly humble and overcome division. Let’s begin today by submitting ourselves to the love of God.