Reluctant Retiree

It happens in every professional football game. Someone will make a spectacular play, or score a touchdown, and will stand with arms held high welcoming the attention and accolades of all those watching. It has gotten to the point where the celebrations are choreographed before the game. The player is having a little fun, but is also seeking everyone’s attention. What they forget to acknowledge is the contributions of everyone who got them there. The coaches called the right play, the frontline blocked, and the quarterback got them the ball. Many people and events enabled the dramatic result.

In the book of Judges in the Bible, God calls Gideon to fight the great Midianite army on behalf of the Israelites. When he was called by God, Gideon was hiding out from the very same army. To say the least, Gideon was not eager to take on this fight. He only agreed after God promised to fight for him. Even then, Gideon hedged his bets by gathering an army of thirty thousand warriors. God was not pleased. Judges 7:2 says, “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.'”

God understands that we will tend to take credit for any good things that we do, even when we couldn’t possibly have done it by ourselves. God pared the Israelite army down to 300 warriors. He brought confusion into the Midianite army so that they fought amongst themselves and killed each other. Essentially, Gideon’s army just watched the slaughter.

Whenever God calls us to do something, we must remember that we cannot try to do it in our own strength, but instead we must rely on the power of God. He will do a much greater work than we can even attempt. When victory is achieved and the work is accomplished, we must remember to give all praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.

A great work of art displayed in the perfect setting, music that lifts the soul, a finely crafted piece of furniture, the smell of a delicious gourmet meal, a perfectly timed jump by an outfielder to take away a home run, a flawless gymnastics routine, the fine detail of skilled woodworking, and the taste of strawberries straight from the field are examples of great craftsmanship. We admire the skills and enjoy the results. Often we long for the same abilities and desire to create long lasting art and beauty.

However, we can’t create works that last forever. The creations of even the most skilled deteriorate over time, even with the best of care. The memories fade along with the crafted items.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 says, “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it.” While we struggle to create something that lasts even a lifetime, everything God does lasts forever. He has chosen to love His children, those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. His love will endure forever. We cannot do anything to add to His love. And no one can take anything away from His love for us. There is only one way, however, to fully partake of His love. We must commit ourselves to following Him and trust in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our salvation. Please don’t ignore His desire to give you eternal love.

It is difficult to watch or read the news these days. Everywhere there is fighting and quarreling. Politicians argue, school boards and parents bicker, nations rise against nations, factions attack other factions within countries, drivers pit themselves against other drivers, and people use weapons inside schools, businesses, and public gatherings to injure or kill.

At the same time, public outcries for peace are heard almost everywhere. Why can’t we achieve a lasting peace, when it seems to be a universal desire? James 4:1-2 explains it this way; “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”

I grew up in the 60s when a huge peace movement was formed. In fact I was a part of the movement and actively campaigned for like minded candidates. One war ended, but others soon followed. So, our campaign was fruitless. Why? According to James, the answer is that selfish and self-centered passions still existed, as they do still today. As long as there are people in this world, we will have conflicts generated by our self interests; whether that be the selfish interests of political parties, nations, or private citizens.

Jesus gave us a better way when He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Jesus promised to give us the peace of God. He will replace those selfish and self-centered thoughts with attitudes of meekness and gentleness. If we will let Him, He will bring down barriers to peace and replace them with structures built upon love. We don’t have to be afraid because He is in control and able to protect us.

I am plagued by a failure to understand the people and events around me. My hearing loss contributes to my confusion because I don’t hear everything that is said. Having lived in another culture for an extended time also contributes as I didn’t continue moving with this culture during my absence. While other reasonable factors heighten misunderstanding, it is still frustrating to be in the dark so much of the time.

Sometimes it is also difficult for me to understand certain portions of the Bible. I study God’s Word using the resources available to me, but at times it just doesn’t make sense to me. I am comforted by the fact that the disciples didn’t always understand Jesus, even though they were eyewitnesses. John 12:16 records one such instance when it says, “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and had been done to him.”

Understanding of the Bible comes only from revelation by God. Understanding comes in the time that God ordains and through the light He provides. We receive this light when we have hearts open to Him and are walking with Him seeking truth. Ensuring that we understand God’s truth is important enough that we must always be in the proper position and posture to receive His revelation.

I don’t know about you, but I often find that the things I have done have hurt someone, very often someone I care about dearly. My intent was pure and innocent, but somehow my follow through had unexpected consequences.

I hadn’t thoroughly thought through my actions. I Corinthians 10:23-24 says, “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” One of the measures of making good decisions, is to consider how our actions may impact others. It may seem that our next act is okay, but if we think it through, we will see how it can harm someone. We must seek to benefit others with our mindset and behaviors.