Reluctant Retiree

As I write this, Soviet troops are lined up along the border with Ukraine. The US President is meeting with the Soviet Premier in discussions to ward off conflict. On another border, government forces are confronting truckers protesting various mandates. Meanwhile, news agencies report daily on the violence in our streets. So much violence and it seems to be out of control. Where can we go to find peace?

Jesus said, “Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” True lasting peace is available in the God who is sovereign over all things. Man may fight against other men. Man may even rebel against God. But God Almighty possesses the ultimate victory. We find peace in dependence upon Him. As we walk with Him, His peace will rule in our hearts.

Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Loving God’s ways brings peace to our hearts, minds, and souls. Keeping His Word keeps us from being tripped up by fear, anxiety, and worry. We will struggle as long as we trust in our own strength to deal with troubles. We will have peace only when we surrender to the love and grace of God.

What would happen to a quarterback if his team lined up without blockers? He would be sacked in a very short period of time. What would happen if a baseball team took the field with only a pitcher and catcher? The opposing team would score runs endlessly, if they could hit the ball. What would happen if we left our keys in our unlocked car with the engine running? Chances are we would not find our car where we left it.

These three circumstances are silly illustrations of what happens when defensive measures are not taken. Losses are incurred and the damage is substantial. In Biblical times, cities built walls around their exterior. These walls were the defense against enemies.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” A lack of self-control leaves us defenseless against temptations and lies of our enemy. Our facade of strength is easily penetrated by attractions that will harm us and damage relationships. We must strengthen our defenses by aligning our thoughts with righteousness and asking God to give us self-control. Then the walls are built higher and stronger for our defense.

Pregnant women are said to possess a glow. Brides display a special radiance on their wedding day. Children’s faces light up when they see the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. We all show gratitude in our countenance for special events and gifts.

Fear wipes away radiance from our faces. Instead of joy, we show concern and stress at these times. We want things to turn out well, but we fear that the worst will happen.

Psalm 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” When fear comes, we can seek the Lord or we can wallow in our predicament. If we choose to wallow, fear increases and we risk becoming incapacitated. If we choose to seek the Lord, He overcomes our fears and delivers us. We can experience radiant expectation of God’s effective grace. We will not be ashamed or disappointed.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” This simple strategy works all the time and in every situation. That’s because it is a promise of the God who never fails.

Have you ever tried something and it worked wonderfully, only to try the same thing again at a different time and failed miserably? Or perhaps you found a great idea taken from some successful venture and you tried the same thing and your effort went down in flames. A lot of things probably factored into the differing results, but one constant is the favor of God. If we pray asking for His wisdom and power, and depend upon Him in the undertaking, the results may not be as we had hoped, but the effort will prove to be the most fruitful.

In the book of Acts, the disciples were put on trial before the Jewish leaders. These leaders wanted to kill the disciples, when one of them stood and said, “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, 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!” This warning is true. Works performed by man can be easily opposed and overthrown. Works performed in the will and power of God can never be successfully opposed.

Before you begin something new, or even try something again, pray first and wait upon the Lord for wisdom and strength. In His power you will bear fruit.

I am old and sometimes I look squarely in the eye of my mortality. I wonder what my legacy be? What will people remember about my life and say about me when I am gone? Will they only think about my failings? Or will some good qualities come to mind? If an honest epitaph is written on my tombstone, what will it say?

Paul was in prison for his faith and near death when he wrote to his friend and disciple, Timothy. In II Timothy 4:7 Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s words would be a great legacy to leave to our loved ones. At the end of my life, I want to be able to say, “I have done good to all, I have accomplished what God prepared for me to do, and I have walked by faith and stood firm in my trust in God.

Goodness, righteousness, and faith are wonderful qualities to possess and live by. These qualities bring life and light to those around us. They are, however, available only through the power of God’s Spirit living in us. I cannot, and we cannot, generate these attributes simply through our meager willpower. We must depend upon God to work these characteristics into our lives. If we trust Him, He will write a glorious epitaph upon our lives.