Reluctant Retiree

What radical changes have you made that changed your life completely and forever? When we move out of our parent’s house for school or work, living on our own changes our priorities and the things we do each day. Getting married and having children alters our priorities and how we spend our time. Perhaps changing jobs has modified your lifestyle and dreams. Unfortunately, health setbacks change our expectations and abilities to do certain things.

The point is that we all face life altering events and make certain changes, whether by our choice or from those forced upon us. The lives of the first disciples of Jesus Christ were dramatically affected by His presence and call upon their lives.

Luke 5:10-11 records one such call when it says, “And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

After speaking to a crowd of people, Jesus told Simon to go to deep water and cast his fishing net. Simon had fished all night without catching anything, but he did as Jesus said. Simon instantly caught so many fish that he needed help pulling them into his boat. Simon knew that his catch was miraculous and that he was in the presence of God. So he immediately left everything behind to follow Jesus. Jesus is worthy of our complete devotion.

Like Simon, we can, and should, leave everything else behind to follow Him. He can be trusted as He loves us with a steadfast and eternal love. Go ahead, jump out of your boat and follow Jesus. Your life will be radically changed for the good forever.

I love watching track and field. Despite the competition, athletes in this sport seem to share bond that many other sports don’t generate. It is common to observe opposing athletes in congenial conversations with each other. It is also common to watch athletes from one team not only cheer on their teammates, but also encourage athletes from the opposition.

Our grandson participates in track and field for his high school. He throws the discus and shot put, but also runs the 100 meter dash and the relay. He is good in all these events, but usually not the best. He tries very hard, giving his best efforts, but still has a way to go to be the best.

Some of us are doing the same thing when trying to earn God’s favor and salvation. We do all kinds of good things for others. And we perform the acts that we believe would earn us God’s favor. We attend church, do frequent acts of kindness for others, are generous toward perceived needs, and avoid participating in the “major” sins. Unfortunately, all these efforts will fail because we still don’t meet God’s holy standards. Unless we are perfect, we have sinned against God and His justice and righteousness demand punishment.

Fortunately, God has paid the price that justice demands. Titus 3:4-6 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Notice that our works, even those done in righteousness, do not save us. Only God’s mercy can save us, when He washes and renews us by His Holy Spirit. In His goodness and love, God provided for our salvation through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ.

Please stop trying to impress God and earn His favor. He offers salvation and eternal love freely through Jesus Christ. Accept His offer today and trust God with your life.

Merchants have made it easy for us to buy their products or services. We can use a credit or debit card by inserting it into a machine, swiping it through the machine, or simply tapping the card or phone on the machine. Of course, we can also pay cash or purchase the items online by using a card or payment service.

It has become so easy that we barely have to move in order to buy almost anything. Ah, but sooner or later we have to put up real money to cover the purchase. Real hard earned money must be deposited in our account or paid to the card.

What if we had to pay a price for our lives? How much is our life worth? Would we be able to pay in monthly installments? Or would it all come due at one time, perhaps when we turn 21? Who would we even pay? God declares that a cost must be paid for my life. He created each of us, but in our sin we have neglected to pay Him. Of course, we could not repay Him for our lives. There is no amount of money, good works, or even thanksgiving sufficient to repay God.

The good news is that God repaid our debt for us, by sacrificing His own Son. The mercy of God in the shed blood of His Son redeems us. I Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

God gives us a couple important messages in these verses. First, God paid a precious price to redeem you and me, the sacrifice of His own Son. Of course,we can accept or deny this payment on our behalf. Rejecting God’s payment also rejects His redemption. Secondly, those of us who accept God’s gift of salvation also receive His power through the Holy Spirit living within us. Therefore we have the opportunity and responsibility to glorify Him with our lives. Please accept the redemption freely offered by God and begin to live in a way that honors Him.

How many times per day are you the recipient of encouraging words? Personally, I cannot recall the last time someone gave me an encouraging word. Why do we hear so little encouragement? The opposite seems to be true. I hear a lot of criticism, not just directed toward me, but seemingly toward almost everyone. We have become a culture that likes to find fault.

Encouragement has to power to bless and heal. It can soften our hearts, while protecting us from words that harm. That’s why the writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Notice that the writer says that we should encourage one another every day. We need this encouragement so that our hearts will not be hardened toward good and righteousness. If we are consistently criticized we can become attracted to deceitful means of protecting ourselves, further damaging our hearts. Thoughtful positive words of encouragement build strength in the recipient and inner joy and peace in the giver.

Find a way to encourage someone today. After you have succeeded in that, do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and every day thereafter. You will be blessed by the positive impact you will have upon those around you and you will be astonished by the impact this will have upon your attitudes.

Have you ever put your efforts into something you truly desired, only to find that this achievement was disappointing? Maybe you eagerly sought the perfect job, only to realize that this work was not fulfilling. Perhaps you sought a relationship with a specific person, only to discover that they were not the kind of person that you thought they were. Maybe you believed in some plan to make a lot of money quickly, only to suffer a significant financial setback. Or worse yet, you made the quick cash and then realized that this success did not satisfy your soul.

The world system makes many promises that it cannot fulfill. Riches, fame and personal satisfaction do not come without exacting a high cost at our expense. I Timothy 6:17 says, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Placing our hopes on riches, fame, and worldly success will only serve to disappoint and frustrate us, as these things are temporary and ultimately not fulfilling. Only placing our trust in God’s provision will endure and satisfy our souls. Starting today, redirect your energies toward trusting God to show you what direction you should go.