Reluctant Retiree

When I was young, I was a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I would listen to Vin Scully broadcast the game every night. I had received a small transistor radio for Christmas and would lay awake, well past my bedtime, listening to the game. I would even keep score on the wooden slats of my bunk beds.

Somehow I began to believe that my behavior impacted how well the Dodgers would do in each game. If I behaved well that day, I believed that the Dodgers would win that night. Unfortunately, I also believed that if I had misbehaved, the Dodgers would lose. I don’t think that I had any empirical evidence to prove my theory, but it did help me improve my behavior, at least during baseball season. I don’t think that I am alone in applying this logic.

Don’t we all think that good things will happen for us, if we do good things. We think that if we are kind to others we will receive kindness in return. If we love others, we will be loved. If we are generous, we will reap the benefits. To be honest, sometimes this works, but the results are by no means guaranteed.

Most people believe, in some form or another, that at the end of our life we will be judged on the balance scale of goodness. If we have done enough good to more than compensate for the bad we have done, we will be rewarded with heaven. If we haven’t done enough good, then there will be hell to pay.

Fortunately, God says that it doesn’t work that way. He looks at humankind and doesn’t find one person who is righteous enough to earn salvation and a heavenly reward. He knows that we have all sinned and rejected Him at some point. If we are honest we also know this to be true.

Fortunately, God Himself has made provision for our salvation and for us to receive the heavenly reward. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

No matter how many good things we have done, we cannot earn salvation. But God made provision for our sins in the sacrifice of His own Son on the cross. His grace has done what our own efforts cannot do. So it is left to us to acknowledge our sins and inadequacy and accept the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Just over two years ago I had brain surgery. After the surgery I had to regain my strength. I chose to start walking. With somebody alongside me to make sure I didn’t fall, I started walking around our apartment complex. I started with short distances and eventually built up to longer distances.I received a lot of benefits from walking. I’ve lost around 80 pounds. I sleep sounder. I have a lot more energy. And I have a brighter, more positive outlook on things. I have much to be thankful for.

While walking one day, I started to wave a greeting to the cars entering and exiting the apartment complex. For a while, I didn’t think much about it. Then I began to notice that people were smiling and waving back to me. Some didn’t, but most did. Then I noticed that people were beginning to wave to me first. Then it didn’t matter if they were in a car or walking or sitting outside, people would wave and smile. Soon we were having conversations and becoming friends. Then my wife and I would begin to bring meals to some of the people that had needs. Some who were virtual shut-ins began to get out more. The apartment complex became a much friendlier place.

The apostle Paul understood the power of a friendly greeting. At the end of his letters to churches Paul often wrote something similar to Romans 16:16, which says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Jesus commended His followers who greeted him and his children; “I was a stranger and you made me welcome.” Matthew 25:35

A warm greeting encourages the recipient. It also gives joy to the giver. It brings people together as my little story confirms. Take time today to give warm greetings to those who intersect your life.

Yesterday, we attended the memorial service of a friend. As we get older we seem to attend more and more of these services. Friends and family members are passing away. We realize that our own passing is quickly approaching also.

I have lived far longer than I expected. My father and his father died young. I expected the same early demise, but so far I have outlived them by 20 plus years. It seems like life is long, while being too short to do all I want to do.

God has a different perspective on our lifespans. Psalm 90:3-4 says, “You return man to dust and say, ‘Return, O children of man!’ For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” Our lifespans are but a speck of time to God.

And yet, God has given man thousands of years on this planet. Why? II Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God does not want to lose any of the people He has created. So He patiently waits for us to repent from our sins and turn to Him for salvation. We are given a life time to return to Him. The problem, of course, is that we don’t know how long our life time will be. Please don’t wait any longer to repent from your sins and trust God to save you.

If you have any questions about this or about salvation, please contact me through this site.

With the passing of our 50th anniversary and Father’s Day, I have had the occasion to look at some family photos. The pictures brought back some great memories and fun times. We looked so young and naive back then. We had no idea what we would experience in the next 50 years. We had a strong commitment to make the marriage and family work well, but we could not predict that we would be able to endure the hard times and enjoy so many good times. God has been very gracious to us.

When we look into the future, how can we know that something will last? Unexpected health issues arise. The economy rises and declines on the smallest of whims. Political leaders change and with these changes come new laws and disputes. Technology changes what we do and how we do it. Friendships evolve or move away. Where can we find something that will not change?

Psalm 136:3-5 gives us the answer when it says, “Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.” God loves us with a love that never changes or leaves us and remains the same forever. We can depend upon His love now and always, because He does not waver or weaken.

In our home, it is my wife that can do the repair work. Her father taught how to use tools and do many repairs. He even gave her a lot of his tools. I did not receive such instruction. It is probably just as well, as I don’t seem to have much innate ability in these areas. When I attempt to make repairs, it takes twice as long with half the quality of her efforts. Sometimes other repairs are needed due to the damage I have done in making the initial repairs. I fumble my way through the job, often getting frustrated by my ineptitude.

Often I experience the same frustration and ineffectiveness when I try to do good for someone. I work hard and start with good intentions, but it doesn’t always accomplish what I intended. Just like my repair efforts, I am using the wrong tools. Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

You see I am trying to use the tools of my experience and ability, rather than using the power tools available in the Holy Spirit. My feeble efforts can’t accomplish the good that I intended. However, if I simply rely on God’s power, He will do far more than I could ask or think.