Reluctant Retiree

As I approach the end of this life I am considering what I will leave to my children and grandchildren. Before we left for Nepal over 20 years ago, we gave away most of our possessions. We didn’t want to hold onto anything that would cause us to look back. We have had to acquire some things to make life work for us since we have been back in the States, but nothing that I would consider particularly valuable or sacred.

So I am not sure that we have anything that our descendants really want. In fact, I have always advised people our age to divest of possessions. I have seen too many families fall into chaos after a loved one dies. I think that it is an act of love to liquidate possessions, so that families do not have to deal with them along with their grief.

But there has to be something that it is important for us to pass onto our families. I think that the most important thing we can give our families is a living legacy. That is a life well lived that gives them a foundation for living their own lives. This foundation can become the spirit by which they live.

Galatians 4:6-7 says, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” God has left us this type of legacy in the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. But the legacy is not just external in the story of his life, but is made internal by giving His Spirit to live within us, thereby empowering us to live the life that He desires for us.

So consider leaving an inheritance that is a life well led, a legacy for others to follow. Also please consider receiving the inheritance that God has for you, by receiving salvation in Jesus Christ.

I have watched a lot of sports during my 71 years of life. One thing that is common to all sports is a uniform or jersey. The uniform identifies the team, and nowadays the team’s sponsors. Most teams also have the individual’s name emblazoned on the jersey. The jersey, therefore tells you something about the player by their association with the team. If the team is good, you can assume that the player is also somewhat talented. If the team is weak or has a bad reputation, you probably assign those qualities to the player as well.

That got me thinking about what jersey I want to wear. Oh sure, I could wear the uniform of my favorite team. But that is too limited. I want to wear the uniform that most identifies who I am, or at least want to be. So I want to wear the uniform of a Christ follower, one who seeks to be transformed into the image of Jesus.

Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. “

I want to carry the shield of God displayed on my uniform. He promises to give me that shield as I walk in integrity. Along with the shield, He promises to guard and watch over me. Join God’s team with me and proudly display His shield on your jersey.

Today is my wife’s and my 50th wedding anniversary. She is a great and godly woman with whom I have been blessed to share 50 years. She has put up with a lot of hairbrained ideas, multiple personalities, and difficult times. But she has always done so with ultimate grace and love. In her, God gave me a gift that I didn’t deserve and is more than I could have imagined.

Our children arranged for many of the people we have known over the years to send us greetings for our anniversary. They put together a book with pictures and these notes. The greetings were humbling and honoring at the same time. Most people spoke of a blessing that was shared together. We were overwhelmed with the kindness and heartfelt encouragement.

Everyone should receive such encouragement. The world would be such a better place if we spent more time together and spoke more words of encouragement to each other. Hebrews 10:25 says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Take a moment today and give an encouraging word to someone, perhaps your spouse.

I spent the day with my grandson playing as many sports as we could. This is an annual event that we call Sports Day. It is a wonderful tradition that I started when my sons were young and now I have the privilege of doing it with my grandson. He is 9 years old now and we have done this for seven years.

We battled the heat and played basketball, baseball, Frisbee golf, hiking, dodge ball, swimming, soccer, tennis, kickball and archery. I will be sore tomorrow.

Why do I do this? I can think of no better way to spend time with my grandson, get to know him better, and impart some good stuff into his life. Fun breaks down barriers and brings us closer together. It is always more than worth the effort, although at 71 years old I am not sure how many sports days are left in me.

God wants you and me to be as close to Him as we possibly can be. He wants this relationship to be strong and fruitful. Therefore, He has given us His Holy Spirit to actually live inside us. The Spirit leads and guides us in righteousness, while also teaching us about God. Jesus used the illustration of a vine and branches to describe how close He wants us to be and how much He wants us to depend on Him. He said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5.

So why not have a sports day with God. Choose to spend time with Him. Abide in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. See what He can do with you and through you.

When I was a child, I used to imagine myself as a great baseball player. Whether I was playing ball with neighborhood kids or throwing the ball against the garage door, I was the best. In my make-believe games I dominated the opposition. The crowd adored me. Of course, I was only great in my mind. When it came to real games in Little League, I was only average.

When I grew up, I still imagined myself achieving greatness in my chosen endeavors. I quickly learned that I had to be somewhat ruthless and egotistical to gain an edge over others. Fortunately, I was not created with ruthless and egotistical genes, at least to the extent required to become great. So I had a good career in my field, but it could not be considered great.

As with so many things, Jesus has a different view of greatness. In Mark 10:42-45 Jesus said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. “

So Jesus turns the table on worldly culture. He says that we must become servers if we want to be considered great in God’s kingdom. What a radical idea then, as it still is today. Jesus not only spoke of greatness in this way, but He demonstrated this truth by giving His own life so that we might live. What more can be asked of a true servant who is the greatest among us.