Reluctant Retiree

When I am involved in a conversation, I often find myself with self-centered thoughts. How can I turn this conversation to me? Can I say something brilliant to get them to respect me? What are they missing that I can add to this topic? Many of my thoughts concern efforts to draw the attention of others toward me.

Dozens of essays and papers have been written on the topic of relationship goals. These articles want us to consider what we want out of each relationship. While sometimes the goals are intended for mutual growth, oftentimes these objectives are more selfish, considering only what I can get out of this relationship. We are encouraged to think about where the relationship will take me.

God has a completely different idea about relationships. He wants us to consider what can benefit the other person, and beyond that, what could benefit others impacted by this relationship. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

What would happen if we viewed our relationships with these goals, stirring up love and good deeds? Increasing love in our community would be one welcome benefit. A move to doing more good works for others would benefit us all. Less selfishness would reduce quarrels and thereby decrease anger. Let’s make our primary relationship goals to be stirring up others, that is encouraging others to be more loving and doing more good for people. Living by the example Jesus set would be a start. Asking Him to help us be strong encouragers would give us the power to follow through.

The auto mechanic promised to have the car fixed by five. Now, he says it will take two more days and you have no way to get home from work today and to work for the next two days. Plus you have to get your daughter to piano lessons and your son to soccer practice.

You called the store and they said that they had plenty of the items you need for the dinner you planned for your boss. You make it to the store and find that they are all out of one key ingredient. The dinner is planned for two hours from now. You don’t have time to change the menu or search for the missing ingredient.

Your boss promised to give you a substantial raise in three months. Four months have passed and still no raise. The bills are stacking up and the refrigerator sounds like it is ready to explode. When promises are made to us, we count on the trustworthiness of the promise-giver.

Sadly, in today’s world promises are often left unfulfilled and we have to find another way to work through our struggles. Fortunately, God always fulfills His promises. So His promise to give forgiveness of sins and salvation to all who believe in Jesus Christ is a certainty that we can count on. We can rest on His promise to meet our needs. We know with full assurance that He will work all things together for good if we love Him and are called according to His purpose. God has the power and authority to fulfill His promises. And He is good and loves us so He will work for our good.

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Because God is faithful to His promises and to us, we should respond in faithfulness to Him. He is worthy of our sincere faith and love.

I frequently use an online ticket broker to purchase tickets to sporting events and concerts. Of course, it is imperative to use a properly approved and trusted broker to ensure the tickets are valid for entry to the events. It can be embarrassing and costly to buy invalid tickets.

Coming before God’s throne requires that we have the proper ticket, as well. Hebrews 10:22 says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” So drawing near to God requires a true desire, sincere faith, and a clean conscience. When we trust in Jesus for salvation, He changes our desires, encourages and develops our faith, and cleanses us from sin. Then we are ready to approach God’s throne in prayer and worship. We can come to Him with confidence because Jesus Christ goes before us and with us as our advocate and intercessor. Without the cleansing that the blood of Jesus provides and faith in His sacrifice, we dare not approach God’s throne.

The other day I was walking on a trail around a lake. It had recently snowed so the trail was covered. I made it about three-quarters of the way around the lake when I suddenly lost the trail. I searched for the trail in many directions but couldn’t find it. I even asked a couple people for directions, but they weren’t much help. Finally I decided to head back to where I started. I never found my way to my intended goal.

After thinking about what happened, I realized that life can be like my ill-fated hike. We establish goals for our lives and make plans to achieve these goals. Then we set out to achieve our objectives of happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and love. We work hard and furiously to accomplish our goals. We may even seek advice from others. But that counsel doesn’t seem to help. But somewhere along our way we lose sight of the path. We begin to wander and not make progress. Finally we just settle for something less and never achieve our objectives.

We’re lost because we failed to consult the Guide. Almighty God is the one true Guide for life, as He is the Designer of all things pertaining to life. His counsel is wise and effective, because He knows the beginning and end of our life’s journey. He is never surprised, because He knows all the details of our existence.

Psalm 73:23-26 says, “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

God promises to stay right by our side, holding our hand as we navigate life’s journey. He will counsel us on the paths we should take, but will also strengthen us along the way. At the end of our journey, He will welcome us to our heavenly home. Of course, these promises come with a provision. In order to receive these blessings, we must desire God above all things. We must trust Him to lead us on the right path. If we can’t trust Him, then we cannot receive the promises.

After a week of frigid temperatures and snow, the sun has come out today. Today’s high temperature is in the 40s, so the snow and ice is melting. The snow was beautiful, but dangers lurked beneath the snow. Even this morning we went into a skid over the ice while breaking for a stop sign. Melting snow reveals what is hidden beneath.

The Bible says that our hearts will one day be like melting snow, revealing what we are hiding within. Isaiah 13:6-7 says, “Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt.”

The day of the Lord is certainly coming. At that time God will judge every human heart. Those who love Him and have followed Him will not receive condemnation, but will enjoy eternity in the Father’s presence. Those who have rejected God will be condemned to eternal punishment causing their hearts to melt with regret. The choice is ours but the time to choose life is limited.