Reluctant Retiree

What is your fondest wish for this Christmas season? Do you long for some shiny new object? Is your desire for a joyful family gathering? Are you simply looking forward to some time off and relaxation? Perhaps you have more altruistic aspirations that may include healing for a sick family member, help for the poor family down the street, restoration of a broken relationship, or end to violence in the city.

All these wishes are good in their places, and I truly hope your desires are fulfilled in the best way possible. But Christmas is a time of remembering how our greatest hopes have been fulfilled. I Peter 1:3-4 reminds us that: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” Jesus came and fulfilled our hope for salvation and redemption. Those who believe in Him receive a living hope of eternity and a glorious inheritance kept in heaven for us. Our greatest hope is satisfied and given to us to enjoy today and into eternity.

This Christmas season accept God’s gift. You will find that all your hopes have been satisfied in Jesus Christ.

The phrase “apple of my eye ” refers to something or someone that one cherishes above all others. People refer to all sorts of things as the apple of their eyes. At one time or another I have heard people refer to their car, spouse, house, favorite team, vacation spot, award, job, child, or golf clubs as the apple of their eye. In most cases, they are just pointing out that these things are important to them, not necessarily cherished items.

But what is it like to be cherished above all others. Hopefully, we find this experience within our families, but sadly not always. We all yearn to be cherished by another, to have someone’s love lavished upon us. But finding this type of love is difficult, at best.

In the Bible, God is said to direct this kind of love toward His children, those who come to Him in faith. We are called His beloved and the apple of His eye. Psalm 17:7-8 says, “Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” God’s love is steadfast, never changing. His love is eternal, never failing or ending. His love is abundant, flowing over us in never ceasing supply. His children are His beloved, the center of His attention and affection.

Everything we have ever wanted in a relationship is available in God. We just have to admit that we need His love and choose to accept His grace through Jesus Christ.

I love to hear stories of people demonstrating great kindness. A child raises money through their lemonade stand to buy gifts for less fortunate kids. Someone gathers donations to purchase an appropriate vehicle for a disabled veteran. After devastating tornadoes pass through a small town, people come from around the country to clear the damages and help rebuild. Someone in line behind a single mom pays for her groceries. Another person takes time every week to visit elderly people who have difficulty getting outside. Although these and other acts of kindness are not highly publicized, their value cannot be overstated.

Many people do not think of God as being kind. They focus on His holiness and hate of sin. While it is true that God is holy and does hate sin, the Bible describes His kindness as never-ending and abundant. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see His many kindnesses toward us throughout our lives.

II Timothy 1:9 says, “It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan before the world began, to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.” God’s greatest act of kindness toward us was sacrificing His own Son to save us. He did this even though we could do nothing to deserve it, but rather because He is kind and He is love. Better than any other gift you will ever receive is His gift of His Son, through whom you can know and experience God’s love and kindness. Receive God’s gift and begin to experience love and kindness fully.

In our part of the country, it is not unusual for business owners to be the spokesperson on their television commercials. Frankly, they do not perform well in this capacity. Their delivery is stilted and most do not come off as trustworthy. It is like the person in ordinary conversation who speaks often about themselves. These people seem to hide weaknesses by using an abundance of words describing what they consider are their strengths.

Worthy speech comes from a trustworthy person and speaks truth in love. A person who is trustworthy has demonstrated the ability to speak honorable words backed up by a life that is also honorable.

I Thessalonians 2:4 says, “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

Those who have trusted in Jesus have also been approved by God to spread the gospel message. This message is honorable as it is God’s salvation truth. We speak the gospel in love for others with the purpose of pleasing God. The only other thing left is for us to make sure that our lives are lived in a manner that also pleases God.

When some people give directions, they confuse more than clarify. They may backtrack occasionally or correct themselves, but leave you unsure of where they went back to in their directions. Or they may use terms unfamiliar to you. One time I was driving in Chicago and listening on the radio to the traffic conditions. They were using the proper names of the highways, like “the Dan Ryan Expressway. But I did not know the names and the signs only gave the highway numbers, without names, so their warnings about traffic were lost to me, because I couldn’t understand their terms.

We can also cause confusion and distrust in what we say, by using unfamiliar terms. But more importantly we can cause people to reject our message by not matching our behavior with our beliefs. Our behavior is a truer test of the truth and validity of our message. If we say “Do not lie”, but often lie ourselves, people will begin to reject this and other messages from us.

Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His day by saying, “so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” God calls us to love Him and return that love in obedience. Only when we are transformed by His love, will we be able to speak and do what we truly believe. Let God’s Spirit transform your heart and align your actions with His Word.