Reluctant Retiree

As the stress builds around us, our words become more reaction than proaction. In these circumstances we may lash out as a defense mechanism. In order to protect ourselves, we criticize others. We are not as interested in the truth as much as defending ourselves. In the process we hurt others and separate ourselves from them.

Ephesians 4:15 gives us a better way when it says, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Instead of defensive and accusatory words, we are to speak the truth. But even truth can be used to harm others. That is why we are called to speak the truth in love. Our desire must be to build up others, not tear them down in our own defense.

We can’t do this in our own strength. That is why the verse says, “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” To speak the truth in love, we must begin with growing in our relationship with Christ. He changes our speech by granting His love and revealing truth to us.

Sometimes I see life as a roller coaster ride. We certainly experience the lows of troubles and suffering. But we also have times of exhilaration. The lows seem to last forever, but really are relatively short-term. Keeping our focus on the struggle just seems to bind us to them. Looking forward to the joy beyond our troubles facilitates our journey through them.

Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” We will certainly suffer troubles. But for the believer in God, these problems are momentary. Joy will soon come and this joy is eternal.

It is a natural response to want to return a kindness given to us. If we are invited to dinner at someone’s home, we generally want to host that person in our home. If someone gives us a gift, we search for a way to give them a gift in return. Often as I enter a building I will hold the door open for another person entering the building. Generally they will return the favor by holding the next door open for me. What a wonderful world it would be if we didn’t just wait to return kindness, but also sought to extend kindness without first receiving kindness.

Near the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, He visited Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, so Jesus healed her. Mark 1:31 records what happened next; “And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” After receiving healing from Jesus, Peter’s mother-in-law began to serve Him and His disciples. After we receive salvation, redemption, healing, and love from Jesus, we will desire to serve Him in some way. When we receive His grace, love for Him will constrain our response.

Our souls constantly search for that which satisfies. We seek wealth, thinking money will satisfy our inner cravings. But riches become meaningless over time and only drive us to seek more. So we pursue fame, but fame comes and goes leaving us frustrated. Then we invest our souls in relationships, but people always disappoint. Still searching, we put our efforts into our works, thinking that meaningful work will surely satisfy our souls. This pursuit only distracts us from finding true fulfillment.

John 7:37-38 says, “Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”” Jesus is the living water that satisfies our souls. In Him we find that which fulfills our desires perpetually and eternally. His supply of this living water is infinite and everlasting.

Why not tap into this living water today? As Jesus said, we only need to believe in Him to receive the living water. Trust in Jesus to satisfy your soul. Give Him your life.

We are in Atlanta with family this week. Visiting a new city, especially a large city like Atlanta, can be both exciting and frustrating. The thrill of seeing and experiencing new things is partially offset by the uncomfortable feeling of change. Trying to navigate in a big city can be daunting. You may think that you know how to get somewhere, but the new roads and sites can be misleading. So, sometimes your plans must change, no matter how carefully you prepared.

We can experience the same frustration of plans going awry in life. We say to ourselves that if I just do so and so, then I will be able to do this. But unexpected situations and interruptions occur, forcing us to make adjustments and course corrections. We can’t anticipate every possibility, so we must recognize that our plans are tentative, no matter how well intentioned they may be.

James 4:15 says, “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”‘ Making plans is prudent and right. But if our plans are not first submitted to God, they are both foolish and arrogant. He has authority and power to change any of our plans.