Reluctant Retiree

You’re in a long line at the grocery store and in a hurry. The person at the cashier is taking forever to find coupons in her purse. Or you are sailing along the Interstate highway when a car comes out of nowhere and dangerously cuts in front of you. Perhaps your teenage son ignores your request to take out the garbage, for the third time. Or out of the blue a trusted friend betrays a confidence on a sensitive matter.

How do you react? I should say, how do I react? I am ashamed to say that many times I let my emotions get out of control and I react with harsh words or sarcasm. Once I’ve vented the pressure is released and I forget about it. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. I’ve hurt someone and damaged a relationship, very likely a familial relationship.

Proverbs 12:16 says, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a fool, and I don’t want to damage my relationships. So how do I change? First, I need to confess my anger. Second, I need to ask for help. No matter how hard I try, I can’t rid myself of this problem. In fact, self-effort will only exacerbate the issue. I need Jesus to change my heart. I need Him to show me where my self-centered nature is causing me to lash out at others. I need Him to give me self-control at those times. I need to practice meekness and gentleness. I need to gain a heavenly perspective on these events. Only then will change begin and I gain control of anger.

I was just watching the United States volleyball team play their first match of the Olympics. I was struck by their amazing athleticism. It seemed that they could jump like the high jumpers, strike the ball with accuracy of sharpshooters, and have gymnastic abilities all at the same time. Many of them were in their late 20s, so they had been working for this moment for decades.

I thought to myself that “I am not that good at anything “. A couple things enter into that true assessment. First, I do not have great innate abilities. Sure, I can do somethings well, but nothing of Olympic caliber. Secondly, I haven’t put in the time and effort to develop talents, like these athletes have.

There is something that I do wish that I could be at the highest level. I want to develop godliness, at a higher degree than even Olympic caliber. Although I haven’t achieved this yet, it is possible. First, I need to recognize that I cannot do this on my own. I need Jesus to work in me by the power of the Holy Spirit. Again I don’t have innate ability to be godly. It sounds simple, but I need God in order to be godly. Secondly, I need to practice godliness. I can’t pursue wickedness and expect to be godly.

Fortunately, God has already given me what I need to develop a godly character. II Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” So I do have the power within me to live a godly life. Jesus gave me this power when I trusted in Him for salvation. Now I just need to let Him do His work in me as I follow Him in obedience.

This morning we had some lightning and thunder. I grew up in Southern California. We would occasionally experience thunder and lightning. But I never experienced a powerful storm until I heard and felt the lightning and thunder of North Texas. Windows rattled and even parked cars were moved by the force of the wind and thunder.

I’ve never experienced the power of hurricanes or tornadoes either. I have seen the devastation left behind by these disasters as I’ve worked in disaster relief many times. Growing up in California, however, did give me the experience of living through earthquakes. Talk about power, earthquakes demonstrate some serious power.

Yesterday I wrote about some of the names of Jesus, particularly the name Wonderful Counselor. The second name in the list from Isaiah is Mighty God. God’s might far surpasses the strength of all these natural disasters. His power is unmatched. He created the winds, seas, and the earth. He retains control of all things and sustains all things. Nothing is impossible for Him. So we can bring our requests to Him, knowing He is able to do what we require.

Psalm 93:4 says, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!”

Several years ago I went to professional counselors, and eventually to a psychiatrist, to help me deal with difficult situations. They listened to me and gave me godly advice to deal with my problems.

As good as this advice was, and as much as it helped me, it was still limited. You see, the counsel was textbook driven, meaning the counselors gave counsel based on proven methods and research. But they could not truly empathize and understand what I was experiencing, because they were not going through the situations themselves. The counselors were also limited in knowledge to what they had learned and experienced. That is not to diminish the value of their advice, but rather to understand its limitations.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote about Him when he said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”

One of the names given to Jesus is Wonderful Counselor. Unlike my earthly counselors, Jesus can empathize with my struggles. The Bible says that He suffered all my troubles and weaknesses in the same way as I do. Jesus is not limited to book knowledge or counseling experience. As Mighty God, He has all knowledge and wisdom. His advice will never be wrong, or even partially wrong. We can trust His counsel to be effective. And because He is Mighty God, He will make all things comply with His counsel. The results are assured. As Prince of Peace, we can know that His words will bring us peace. Why would anyone go anywhere else for wise and true counsel?

I think that it is safe to say that we all hate hypocrisy. It seems to be everywhere. Politicians speak of lofty ideals but violate those ideals in their personal lives. Spiritual leaders hold their congregations in bondage to their rules while living by lesser standards. Educators often teach one set of morality and live by another.

Jesus spoke His harshest words to the spiritual leaders of His day. In Matthew 23:2-3 He said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you – but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” These leaders put heavy burdens upon the people through their cumbersome traditions. Yet the leaders did not apply the same laws to their own lives.

We should honor and respect leaders who live righteously. We should apply the good instructions they give. On the other hand, we must insure that our own lives match up with the advice and counsel that we give to others. We must also insure that this advice and counsel agrees with God’s wisdom in His Word.