Reluctant Retiree

It is pretty easy to find recordings and videos of people responding to some perceived injustice with loud voices of displeasure, often including outrageous threats. These people are out of control and extremely overreacting. They feel that they have been wronged and they want the situation rectified immediately and to their satisfaction. Somehow they believe that loud voices and threats are the way to accomplish their goals.

The Bible says that “a soft answer turns away wrath.” A soft answer is sometimes hard to give when we feel wronged in some way. But we have more instruction than this command to help us. Jesus said, “I am gentle and lowly.” He is our example. When wrongly accused and eventually murdered on the cross, Jesus’ response was, “Father, forgive them!” When we reject God and go our own way, God is always ready to give us mercy.

It is interesting that we all want people to respond to our failures with patience and kindness, but we are so quickly angered by the faults of others. Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” The next time you are wronged by someone, try waiting to respond. While you are waiting think about Jesus’ example of mercy and kindness toward you. And ask Him to help you respond with the same gentleness and humility.

Why don’t our actions always line up perfectly with our values and ideals? I believe it is because of what we allow to occupy our private thoughts. What comes to us through our senses, will activate our actions, if we ruminate our thoughts upon them. Constant lascivious thoughts, fed by advertising and media, will eventually generate immoral deeds. Frequent viewing of violent materials will lead to violent thoughts and possibly harmful attacks.

The psalmist understood this link between private thoughts and public actions when he wrote; “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” Integrity requires that our values and actions match. If we spend our private moments meditating on harmful thoughts, we can expect that these thoughts will eventually make their way into damaging actions.

As an adult I have moved from place to place often. Since I am extremely introverted, making friends has been difficult. I don’t know much about friendship development, but I do know that I must enter new relationships with a humble attitude. Starting off with self-centered speech and a know-it-all attitude never gets me far. I am far better off listening and trying to understand others first.

In some ways, beginning a relationship with God is similar. To start a relationship with God, we must begin with humility. Salvation begins with acknowledging our sinfulness and need for a Savior. To further develop our relationship with God, we must confess our dependence on Him. When we desire to get even closer to Him, we must come to Him with a humble attitude of praise and thanksgiving. As we get to know Him better, the praises and thanks will flow from an understanding of His grace and mercy toward us.

Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Fresh fallen snow is covering almost everything in our area. Everything seems to be spotless and pure. It is a beautiful sight.

Unfortunately, the snow turns to mush and quickly becomes quite filthy. The slush attaches itself to everything. Cars pick up the slush on the road and appear muddy. Clothes and shoes are quickly covered in the stuff. It makes you want to stay inside until the weather changes.

God calls us to spotless character and living. He calls us to leave the slush and filth of the world’s ways. This mush has attached itself to us and we are identified with the filth. II Peter 3:13-14 says, “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”

All of us want to be people of good character. But even with the best intentions we fall short of our own standards, as well as surely short of God’s. How can we be found to be without spot or blemish? Jude 24 says, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Only through the redemption and salvation of Jesus Christ can we be made spotless and blameless before God. Only through His power and authority can we live righteously and blamelessly in His presence.

He is coming soon. The time to choose righteousness and salvation is short. Don’t wait and miss your opportunity to be spotless.

Our weather has been brutal lately. We’ve had several systems come through the area, dumping snow and bringing frigid temperatures. This has obviously affected my walking regimen. Fortunately our complex has a workout room with a treadmill. I still walk outside some, but I have to be especially careful. Even a thin layer of snow can hide dangerous ice underneath. It is pretty easy to slip on the ice and hurt myself.

We all face many dangers throughout our daily lives. Whether it be a distracted driver or just cracks in the sidewalk, physical obstacles endanger our health. These may be easy to identify, but many dangers are hidden, like the person seeking to harm others. Still other things are easy to miss, but could take us on a harmful path that we will regret later. These influences are distractions and temptations that hurt our hearts and souls.

I Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love.” It takes courage to do the right things, when those around you are encouraging you to do otherwise. It takes strength to resist what the world tells you what to do, but you know that following their way will harm you. It takes insight and wisdom to reject the lies you are told. We can’t do it on our own. We need to stand strong in faith, asking God for strength, wisdom, and courage. He stands ever ready to help us when we depend on Him and choose to be true to what we believe. He will keep us secure and hold us,so that we don’t slip on the ice of hidden dangers.