Reluctant Retiree

We are living in an age of relativism. Many people believe that absolute truth does not exist. Truth is only what you or I believe it to be. Therefore, a moral code for all people does not exist. We are then free to do whatever we think is right. A problem arises in that people cannot be held accountable for hurtful, or even violent, behavior. After all, a universal moral standard does not exist.

I believe that this kind of relativism is responsible for the violent actions we are witnessing around the world today. Voltaire once said that if they can get “you to believe the absurdity, they will get you to do the atrocity.” Atrocities are occurring every day all around us because the prevailing absurdity of belief is that there is no absolute truth.

On the other hand, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Absolute truth is found in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ. God created all things and sustains all things. He possesses all knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, His Word is to be believed and followed. Anything else is absurdity. God’s truth sets us free.

Who is God? What is He like? Let’s turn to God’s own Word to see what He says about Himself.

Psalm 146:7-10 says, “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord reigns forever.”

So what does that mean for you and for me. Let’s put ourselves into these verses and see. The Lord sets us free from bondage to sin and evil. The Lord opens our eyes so that we can see the truth. When we are troubled or humiliated, the Lord lifts us up and restores our joy. The Lord loves when we walk with Him. When we are searching for truth amidst our fears, the Lord is near and watches over us. When we feel alone and weak, the Lord draws us near to Him and protects us. He will protect us from the evil that surrounds us, but if we don’t turn from our evil ways we will suffer. He is Lord God Almighty forever.

This is the God that we can trust with our lives. This is the God that we can depend upon.

Circumstances and situations can easily give us a downcast spirit. Bills we can’t pay, illness, relationship hurts, life’s frustrations, and sudden repair needs can drain the energy and joy out of us. It is enough to make us want to sit in our favorite chair and pull a blanket over our heads until it all goes away. Where do we find the cure for our downcast spirit, especially when we see no end to our troubles?

Psalm 9:1-2 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Without downplaying the struggles that we face, the cure for a downcast spirit is to give thanks for the things that we do have. We can all find something that we are grateful for, like air to breathe, enough food to keep going, shelter, some level of health, friends, help from others, etc. Thanksgiving changes our attitudes, even when the circumstances don’t change. Continuing to dwell on our bad circumstances just takes us deeper down the path of self-pity and regret.

Giving thanks begins with the acknowledgement that we have been given something good. It may take some effort, but we can find these blessings. I know that each of us has been blessed by God in many ways. He is always good and is good to everyone. We may miss seeing His blessings if we don’t look for them. Of course, having a trusting relationship with God, makes us more aware of these blessings. So if you are having trouble finding God’s work in your life, why not simply ask God to reveal Himself to you?

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.