Reluctant Retiree

We use the same containers for differently valued items. We just moved and used some boxes to store and protect valuable things. Other boxes were filled with stuff equivalent to junk. We have used plastic tubs to clean the most disgustingly dirty boots, etc. Then we put some prized collections or art in the same tubs. Glass jars can become storage of spices, or less attractive leftovers. The point is that almost any container can hold honorable or dishonorable items.

We can also be viewed as containers for honorable or dishonorable use. If we harbor jealousy, anger, greed, lust, or selfishness within ourselves, then we are a container used for dishonorable purposes. However, if we pursue righteousness, love, peace, and faith, then we are vessels for honorable use.

With people, honorable and dishonorable uses cannot be effective at the same time. II Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” So for God, the Master of the house, to use us for good works, first we have to cast off and forsake the dishonorable things we do. When we turn away from these dishonorable works and trust the Master, we are then available for Him to work honorable works in and through us.

I was an internal bank auditor for 20 years. As such I went to different branches and departments to ensure that customer and bank accounts were properly protected. I carefully reviewed bank records for accuracy. And I observed control procedures to make sure that losses were mitigated. At the end of each audit I made recommendations for improvement and prepared a report for management.

God invests in us. Each believer is given the Holy Spirit and a measure of faith. God expects us to protect the deposit of faith and allow the Holy Spirit to make it grow. How do we do that? We keep adding deposits of faith through obedience and trust. When we come upon any situation, if we depend upon God for direction and strength, a deposit of faith is made. When we face trouble, if we wait upon the Holy Spirit to work on our behalf, we make a deposit of faith. When we read the Bible and hear God speak to us and then we obey this truth, we make a deposit of faith.

II Timothy 1:14 says, “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” God has given believers a deposit of faith. Like any investor, He expects a good return on His investment. But He has also given us the power to guard and grow our faith, through His Spirit. Those who have not yet believed in Jesus Christ, have not yet received this power and are left to struggle in their own strength. But this power is freely available to all who trust in Jesus.

I grew up in Southern California, where very few homes had basements. Now I live in Indiana where basements are pretty much standard. So I am learning about basement living. On the negative side, basements are usually cold and lonely places. On the positive side, basements are quiet places where you can find peace and be able to think clearly. The colder feel is a significant benefit in summer.

In a figurative sense, Jesus calls us to the basement life. We should seek solitude daily to spend time with Him in prayer, meditation, and reading scripture. We will receive peace in the quiet solitude of our conversations with Jesus. He also calls us to possess a lowly spirit. Jesus described Himself as “gentle and lowly in spirit.” A lowly spirit is one that forsakes pride to serve others. It doesn’t seek attention from others, but rather seeks to honor them.

Proverbs 29:23 says, “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” God despises pride because it turns us away from trusting Him. Therefore pride ultimately destroys the prideful person. On the other hand, God will honor the lowly in spirit one who serves God and man. Our pride is difficult to put away, but holding onto it brings disastrous consequences. Giving God the honor that is due to Him, keeps us safe and secure under His grace and strength.

Like many people, I have watched some of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness. I can’t help but be amazed at the amazing skills and athleticism of these athletes. Most have innate abilities that have been fine tuned by knowledgeable coaches and trainers. They are fully committed to perform at their best and reach their goal of a national championship.

Are you and I as committed to reaching our goals? Have we trained sufficiently and practiced the skills necessary? Have we consulted with the right experts to learn how to make the best of our efforts?

Doing all these things is good, but if these things are all we do, we are missing the point of life. Our eyes are horizontally focused, when they should be vertically directed. We must recognize that God gave us the innate abilities that we possess. He placed us under knowledgeable coaches and counselors. He gives us the power to progress to the next level. He even guides the circumstances that lead us to do well and provide benefits.

The apostle Paul was a wise, learned, and fanatically trained man. He is credited with bringing the gospel to most of the known world during his lifetime. He wrote much of the New Testament. Yet, he also penned these words in II Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” A defining attribute of Christians is our dependency upon God. We recognize that any good thing comes from Him and not by our own efforts. When good things are produced, we must remember to praise God, the source of power to do good.

After a natural disaster strikes relief teams come in to assist victims. Generally there are at least two phases to disaster relief work. First, rapid response teams come in to clear the damages and make the areas safe. Then sometime later teams come in to rebuild what was lost.

My wife and I have served on disaster relief teams in both phases. Since I am not skilled in construction, I work better in the rapid response phase. I am able to remove sheetrock, flooring, and damaged personal property.

Unfortunately, I find that my personality and words are also better at destruction rather than construction. It is easy for me to find something to complain about or someone to criticize. Speaking to tear down is my natural bent. Based on listening to other people speak, I am sure that I am not the only person with this verbal tendency. It is only by really listening to others and asking God to guard my mouth that I have experienced growth in this area. He is helping me to speak gently and seek to encourage others.

I Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” If we can lift the countenance of other people through encouraging words, we are building a better world for all of us. There is already far too much bickering and complaining in our world. Let us ask God to guard our mouths and give us gentle and encouraging words to speak.