Reluctant Retiree

Sometimes we desire something just because it looks good and we think that it will meet some need we have. Other times we just want something out of greed and selfishness.

In the Bible, Judges 14 tells a story about Sampson, the strong man. You have probably heard the famous story of Sampson and Delilah. The Judges 14 story occurred before his problems with Delilah. Sampson went to the land of the Philistines, Israel’s enemy and oppressors. While in this land he saw a woman that he desired. He told his parents, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

As the story goes, this woman betrays Sampson to his enemies and the betrayal costs him a lot of money, which he obtains through a mass murder. Then he gives his wife to a friend.

What went wrong in Sampson’s life? It all started with his eyes. He saw something that looked good to him and desire was formed to such a degree that he had to have it, no matter the consequences. The desire became an out of control passion that ultimately led to murder.

God warns us about how our eyes can focus on selfish desires and lead us to destruction. Proverbs 16:2-3 says, “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” The desires formed through our eyes can mislead us. God judges our hearts. The way to make sure we are not misled is by subjecting our hearts and plans to God.

Each morning I get up early and walk seven to nine miles. I like to vary my route, but even at that, there are just a few places to walk at that time of day. I counter the potential drudgery of walking the same places by walking on beautiful nature trails. The scenery takes my heart and mind to heavenly places and I am revived and encouraged.

Frequently doing the same things in the same way can make life a bit of a drudgery. We get up at the same time each day and do the same morning routine. Then we head to work and perform the same tasks we did the day before. We may then come home and watch to start the same routine tomorrow.

Fortunately, God has provided an exciting opportunity for each of us. Hebrews 10:19-23 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.”

God in Christ has provided us with a new and living way to live each day. If we have trusted Jesus for salvation, He has made us a brand new person, cleansed from our old ways by His blood. Each day we can enter into the very presence of Almighty God and enjoy the blessings of His steadfast love. Every day becomes a new adventure led by God.

I majored in Mathematics in college. It sounds boring, doesn’t it. That may be, but I liked the fact that a correct answer could be determined for every problem. Solutions are found by taking defined steps to find the answer.

Unfortunately, our world does not operate like Mathematics. For every problem, we are offered a myriad of potential solutions. From every facet of the spectrum will come their version of the truth. People even go to social media to find the truth. Most of these “truths” are based on nothing more than personal experience or preferences.

Paul predicted that this day would come when he wrote in II Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itchy ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” He was speaking of a day like our own, where people look for truth only to support their own desires.

But where can we find truth that is universally true and applicable for all people? I Timothy 2:3-5 says, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Truth is only found in God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Additionally, God wants all of us to know the truth. This requires that we trust God to reveal the truth to us through His Son Jesus Christ. Don’t let personal desires lead you away from the truth, but rather ask God to reveal the truth to you. He is the only place to find life giving truth.

A year ago I had a number of trips on public sidewalks, causing me to fall. Fortunately, I didn’t injure myself seriously, only minor scrapes and damage to my pride. Each time I simply did not see the raised portion of the sidewalk and caught my feet on it.

Have you ever noticed that we are frequently judgmental and critical of others? Maybe this is only true of me. I have recently noticed my tendency to be hypercritical of people. They may be doing things 99 percent correctly, but I will judge them for the one percent that I think they did incorrectly. The problem is that I am judging based on my standards, which, honestly, are probably 99 percent incorrect.

Romans 14:23 instructs me with these words; “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” My criticism and judgment can actually be a stumbling block for another person trying to accomplish some good things. I don’t want to get in the way and keep others from doing good. Let’s all be less critical and judgmental. Let us remember the grace bestowed on us by God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. I believe that this one change in us will make our world a better place to live in.

One day I was traveling with friends in a van to the Kathmandu Airport. Unfortunately, it was a day of widespread demonstrations in Nepal’s capital. At a busy intersection the van was suddenly surrounded by angry demonstrators. They refused to let the van move and we weren’t sure whether they intended to violently attack us. All of a sudden an elderly lady broke through the crowd and seemed to admonish the young men. They backed down and let us pass. That lady was our guardian angel.

On another journey to an airport, this time in Sacramento, I was driving and was suddenly surrounded by dense fog, even though it was also raining heavily. In that area, fog often rises from the ground. I was at an impasse, trying to get to a family holiday celebration, but unable to see clearly. I did finally make my flight, as all flights were delayed due to the fog.

Being surrounded can raise all sorts of uneasy feelings. We are uncertain whether any good can come from the situation and we need help to get out. Psalm 32:10 talks about being surrounded by two entirely different environments. It says, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” The choice is clear. Choose to follow the path of wickedness and you will inevitably be surrounded by sorrows. However, choose the path of trusting God and He will surround you in His love. Choose wisely which path you will take.