Reluctant Retiree

In our culture we sometimes use the expression, “I owe you” to describe a felt obligation to repay a kind deed. However, it can also be used to enflame a desire for revenge after we have been harmed. In either case, there exists no standard for when we owe somebody or what we owe. We develop the idea of owing based upon the perceived impact upon us.

The Bible clarifies the Standard for owing others when it says in Romans, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet’, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

God says that we all owe each other. But what we owe is love, whether we are harmed or benefitted by the actions of the other person. We owe them at least as much love as we have for ourselves. Returning evil for evil just continues and escalates the dispute. Returning love to the one who harms us quickly resolves trouble. The Bible also says, “love covers a multitude of sins”.

In professional football, every team puts in many hours and much effort in devising the game plan. Coaches review hours of film from previous games to determine what the other team tries to do. Then they try to understand what the opponent will do against their team. They devise the game plan to counter what the other team will do and maximize their team’s strengths. Once the game begins, the coaches will adjust the game plan based on what is or is not working.

We all devise a game plan for life. We maximize our strengths and try to minimize our weaknesses. Just like in football, we need to make adjustments as life is played out. Inevitably circumstances come that disrupt our game plan.

Fortunately we have someone to help us through the disruptions. God sees all that is happening in our lives and, at the same time, He sees our future. Better yet, He is in control, having all power and authority. We may not understand what is going on, but God fully understands. Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

God is good! He is mighty! He knows all things! And He loves us! What a wonderful combination, worthy of our complete faith!

Samuel was a prophet chosen by God to judge and lead Israel. But the people wanted a king, so that they could be like the other nations. In desiring a king they were rejecting God as their king. Saul was chosen to be their king. He was tall, handsome and strong, all the desired qualifications of an earthly leader. But Saul turned out to be a disastrous king as he sought his own glory and reward. God rejected Saul and chose David.

When looking for the next king, the people fell into the same trap by focusing on outward appearance. God reprimanded them in I Samuel 16:7; “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'”

Good looks, tall stature, charm, abilities, awards and popularity do not earn the Lord’s favor. Instead, He looks for good hearts of love, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness and grace to bless, save and honor. It is easy to seek the acclaim of the crowd, but it is far more wonderful to receive the Lord’s favor. Giving our hearts to Him to mold into good hearts is the means to obtaining His favor.

Abraham’s story is told in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and retold by the apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans. God spoke to Abraham and told him to move to a land that he did not know. Along with these instructions, God gave Abraham a promise. Abraham was told that he would become the father of a great multitude of people, too many to number.

Abraham was about 75 years old at the time and his wife, Sarah, was probably somewhat younger. In addition, they had no children to this point. Abraham believed God and moved his household. God tested his faith occasionally and did not immediately fulfill His promise. In fact, Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 years for God to give them a son. Abraham’s faith did not waiver.

Paul wrote about Abraham with these words; “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'” Abraham was saved by faith, not by any good works that he may have done. God counted him as righteous based upon his faith. The same is true for us today. We can be saved and counted as righteous by God through faith. So why delay? Believe God and be saved!

All of us have experienced our share of rejection. They said “No” when we applied for the job of a lifetime. She said “No” when we casually invited her to coffee. The bank said “No” when we applied for the loan to save our business or buy our dream home. Rejection comes in many forms and from many voices. Rejections do more than take the wind out of our sails, they can send us into a spiral of despair and defeat.

Many people already feel like God has rejected them. They see no evidence of blessings in their lives. They do not hear His voice. They feel alone and fearful. Read these words of Jesus from John 6:37; “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

But you say that you are too bad for God to accept you. Read the verse again. Jesus said that “whoever” comes He will “never” cast out. But you say that you have rejected Him too many times. Again, Jesus said that “whoever” comes He will never cast out. There is nothing about you that Jesus doesn’t already know. And yet, He invites you to come to Him and He will receive you and never cast you away from Him.

Please accept His invitation to come to Him! He will never reject you.