Reluctant Retiree

When I was young my friends called me by different names as we aged together. In elementary school they called me “Jimmy”, the name my sister still uses for me. As I entered junior high, my friends started calling me “James”. But in high school, they started calling me “Jim”.

The name changes were not prompted by me. Instead, as we all matured, our language changed. In Hebrew culture, names were chosen carefully. They were intended to draw attention to a person’s character.

Some cultures still use this practice today. I met a Nepali woman, who was quite embarrassed by her name and didn’t want to tell me. Her parents named her “Bichalli”, which means misfortune. Imagine living with such a name as a billboard of who you are.

When it came time to name our children we used the same idea. So we named our kids with words that meant “who is like Jehovah”, “strong Christian”, and “Jehovah is Lord”. Our hope was that their lives would reflect these praises. By the way, my name comes from Jacob of the Bible, and literally means supplanter. Yuck, I hope that I don’t live up to that title.

Names are important. We can use them to deride or praise others. We can use them to encourage or discourage people. Our names are given to us by our parents. But we can earn other names, like Most Valuable Player, President, or Chief Executive Officer.

God wants us to live in a way that brings honor to Him. To do this we have to live lives of integrity, righteousness, and high moral character. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Good character has a lasting impact, while fame or wealth quickly pass away. So live in the power of Christ to earn the name Good Man, Loving, Caring, Integrity, Deserving Honor, and Godly.

Businesses create marketing slogans to draw attention to their products or services. They are designed to be short, but memorable. Here are some of the best:

* just do it – Nike

* I’m lovin’ it – McDonalds

* the best a man can get – Gillette

* think different – Apple

* where’s the beef? – Wendy’s

* America runs on Dunkin – Dunkin

* like a good neighbor, State Farm is there

* think outside the bun – Taco Bell

Jesus also gave short statements of His purposes. He said such things as I came to seek and save the lost” and I came not to be served, but to serve”. These saying captured the attention of His listeners while also explaining His gospel message.

Mission statements can be much longer and are designed primarily for employees and sales professionals. They include objectives like becoming the premier provider in the tri-state area. Mission statements motivate and inspire the best efforts of a company’s personnel.

One day in a synagogue, Jesus gave a longer explanation of His mission when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The good news of Jesus Christ brings liberty, freedom, sight and God’s favor to those who trust in Jesus.

I just finished painting a large room in our new house, for the second time in three months. You see, the first time I painted in a rush as it was the last room to be painted. I didn’t do a good job the first time and my poor work needed to be corrected.

I seem to often sacrifice quality on the altar of expediency. I am often thinking “that’s good enough!” That’s because I forget who I am working for. I should have greater respect for the boss, my wife, and myself by seeking to do my best work.

A more important calling to do my best has been placed upon me. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” My higher calling is to honor God by giving Him my best effort in all that I do. He is worthy of my best. And given all that He has given me, I want to respond to His love with my best.

When we lived in Nepal we became more aware of how kings and kingdoms functioned. Nepal was officially called a Hindu Kingdom and the government was a constitutional monarchy. Parliament wrote laws, but they were never enacted without the king’s consent. Fortunately, the king was benevolent and the people truly liked him.

Then one day, the Crown Prince massacred most of the royal family and committed suicide. The brother of the killed king was made the new king. Unfortunately the people did not like the new king or his family. Within two years, the people rebelled and a new constitution was written calling for a democracy. That hasn’t ended the chaos however. The constitution took several years to complete among the emerging political parties.

Governments are fragile. If the rulers truly seek the welfare and care of their constituents, they will succeed and continue to govern. If, however, they govern according to personal or political agendas, the people will lose faith in their government and rebel.

Jesus came to establish God’s kingdom on earth. He retains authority over all things in heaven and on earth. He is supreme in power over all forces in the world. Psalm 145:13-14 describes His kingdom when it says: “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” God’s kingdom has always been and always will be. He reigns in faithfulness and kindness, partially exhibited by His favor toward the down and out. Therefore, His people trust Him and submit to His kingship.

I go on a long walk every morning. So each morning I am faced with a decision as to where I want to walk. I am drawn to nature trails and there are many in our immediate area. So usually I will head to one of the trails. Sometimes I change my mind in the middle of the walk and head someplace else. Sometimes I get tired early and cut my walk short. At other times I feel strong and keep going a while longer. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of where I should walk. Each day I choose what is right for me that day.

Each of us face dozens of decisions each day. Some are no more important than where to walk. Some decisions are life changing. A solid foundation is required for consistently making right decisions. Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” The secret to living a good life is to ask God to teach us to do His will and letting the Holy Spirit lead us. You see, the good life is found in following God.