Reluctant Retiree

Now that I am older and on Medicare, I am subject to several regular medical examinations. My family doctor does an annual Medicare general assessment of my overall health. I also have annual examinations performed by my dermatologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and dentist. Besides these evaluations, when problems are detected, I return for treatments and follow-up. All these tests are designed for early detection of health issues and corrections for problems as they arise, keeping me healthy and strong.

Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” We should give ourselves the same level of testing to our mental, emotional, and spiritual lives that we provide to the physical. We want to be healthy and strong in all areas of life, so we must examine to see if we are doing all that we should be doing and removing the things that can hurt us.

This verse in Lamentations goes further in saying that we should return to the Lord. We cannot maintain mental, emotional, and spiritual health apart from a right relationship with God. He provides peace and loves us with an everlasting love. All that we need to be healthy in the inner person is found in God. If we are living apart from a strong personal relationship with God, we are keeping ourselves from the resources needed for a healthy and abundant life.

Every day you pass the same car dealership on your way to and from work. And every day you see the same luxurious red sports car. Your heart yearns to have that car. Soon you are purchasing that red sports car although you can’t afford it and it is not practical for your needs.

Every day you walk past the corner bar. The sounds of laughter are inviting. One day you go inside to see what is going on. Soon you are caught up in the bar culture and lose control of your drinking habits. Disaster strikes every area of your life.

Every day you work next to the most attractive person in the office. You are curious about this person’s life and interests. You strike up a casual conversation. But soon you are meeting together for a secret rendezvous, despite your seemingly happy marriage.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” We must keep our hearts from attraction to wrong and evil things. Because soon we will follow our hearts into these very things which we know will only harm us. The ability to guard our hearts requires discipline over time to build the habit of right thinking. It also requires power from God. We are helpless to acquire the necessary discipline and fortitude to control our attractions. We need God’s power and wisdom through His Holy Spirit. It begins by surrendering to God’s love and mercy. We must acknowledge our weaknesses in order to draw upon His strength. Ask God today to give you power to guard your heart and avoid the disasters that an unguarded heart will bring.

Have you ever started out for a destination without waiting for or getting directions? I sure have. In a hurry I start the car and head out thinking, “How hard can it be to easily find this place?” Then I quickly find myself lost and wasting a lot of time.

God commands us to wait for His direction. Proverbs 8:34 says, “Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” Failure to wait for God’s direction leads to failure to reach life’s objectives. Not waiting leads to frustration and confusion.

But waiting for God’s wisdom is not passive. Waiting involves listening for God’s instructions, looking for what He is doing, and and seeking His presence by following Him. These three actions will lead us into His purpose for our lives and abundant living.

If I was to build a house on a cliff overseeing the ocean, I would first need to consult with a variety of professionals. I would seek the services of geological experts to determine the stability of the land. An ecological professional would assess the impact of weather and erosion upon the land and future building. An architect who specializes in these types of structures would devise the house structure. I would need the advice of many qualified experts before proceeding to build, if I want my house to endure the testing of time.

So why do we ignore the wisdom of the Creator and Sustainer of life when making plans for our lives? God alone knows how life can be lived joyously and fruitfully. He alone understands all the factors that impact our lives and knows what our future holds. He alone has the power to overcome the obstacles that we are confronted with. He possesses the wisdom we need to accomplish His purposes for life.

Acts 5:38-39 says, “for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” When making life plans, neglecting to consult God’s wisdom may be disastrous. But depending on the wisdom of God’s counsel will prove its benefits. God’s wisdom stands the test of time, because He reigns over time.

As I have stated before, I wear hearing aids. One drawback has been the difficulty of separating out ambient noise to be able to hear the person speaking to me. If I am in a crowd, it is hard to hear a person directly in front of me.

Tuning out the crowd to hear the truth can also be difficult. The crowd is often loud and demanding. Their voices can disrupt rational thinking. Discerning truth in the midst of multiple forceful voices is near impossible.

After healing the lame man, Peter and John were brought before the authorities. They had done nothing wrong but the rulers felt threatened by the disciples’ growing popularity. They gave them an ultimatum to stop preaching and healing. Acts 4:19-20 says, “But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'”

The best way to find the truth in the midst of the noisy crowd is to single out the voice of God. Listen for His voice by reading His Word and meditating on its truth. Other voices will fade into the background and peace will enter your soul. Sometimes we must choose between pleasing people or pleasing God. Always choose to please God. He promises an abundant life, while the crowd will only lead you to confusion and frustration.