Reluctant Retiree

I am scheduled to have a colonoscopy tomorrow. So today, I am going through the process of cleansing my colon so that they can get a good clean look at my insides. I can’t eat anything today and have to drink gallons of liquid, some of which will make me expel the contaminants.

The hardest part for me is to drink that much liquid in a short amount of time. I am normally a very slow drinker, sometimes taking hours to drink a cup of water. But the process is necessary to get a thorough check up on my health.

God wants us to do daily check ups on our spiritual health also, so that we can be strong and effective followers of Jesus. When we find that we have missed the mark, we need to confess our sins and turn away from them. He will then cleanse us from those sins. Our hearts will then be clean,, ready for service and worship. This is the process of spiritual removal of contaminants. II Corinthians 7:1 says, “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.”

I am not the wisest person on earth. I say that confidently based on experience. I have tried and failed in many ventures, even when I was confident that I knew what I was doing. I have seen seemingly less gifted people accomplish much more than I have. I don’t know where this misplaced confidence in my wisdom comes from, but it is not serving me well.

I regret not having mentors and counselors in my life. For the most part, I have relied on my own thoughts and experiences. What a limited knowledge base that is! How can anyone expect to consistently flourish based on their own wisdom?

Proverbs 13:10 says, “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” Wisdom comes from God and the collective knowledge of His people. We should study God’s Word and seek counsel from wise advisors. Then we will be prepared for growth and success.

I have never spent much time looking at myself in a mirror. In fact, I can go days without looking at a mirror. Sometimes when I do look in a mirror I am surprised by what I see. The bald spot on the back of my head caught me by surprise, even though I am sure it had been growing for some time. Months after I had lost a lot of weight I was aghast at the loose skin dangling from parts of my body. In fact I was previously unaware of how large I had gotten.

All of us have blind spots, though most of us are aware of physical changes to our bodies. We have blind spots in our personalities and actions that we only become aware of through relationships. If we are not sufficiently circumspect and aware, we will bring hurt to these relationships.

I Corinthians 13:11-12 says, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” We must be more fully aware of our faults than I am of my physical changes. Where there is sin we must confess it and ask God to transform us by His Spirit. Where there is damaged relationships, we must seek reconciliation. God knows us fully and He still loves us. However, He wants us to grow in godliness. So look into the mirror and examine your soul. Then ask God to change you in the ways that He desires.

When I was young, I would often tell little lies. Sometimes I lied to try to stay out of trouble. Other times I lied to make myself look good. I remember getting caught in a lie in third grade. Our assignment was to give an oral book report on a book we had just read. I didn’t like to read so I completely made up the book report. After my oral report, the teacher asked me a couple questions about the book. Again I made up my answers. She wasn’t fooled at all and I received a failing grade.

Unfortunately I didn’t learn my lesson, but rather got more sophisticated in lying as I got older. It is funny but sad that we adults can deceive others and think we have done nothing wrong. Exaggeration is an accepted form of communication, but is still meant to deceive. Little white lies are considered harmless even when they are intended to hurt others.

God has a zero tolerance policy regarding lies and deceit. Psalm 101:7 says, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” God turns away from the person who tries to deceive others, no matter how innocent the lies may seem to us.

Music is playing everywhere these days. Restaurants, stores, and even the dentist’s office are playing music over their sound systems. People are plugged into music as they travel and as they walk.

As I get older I cherish quietness. I would prefer to eat in relative silence and I don’t need music in my ears as I walk down the street. I do enjoy music and understand how it can set a mood and drown out annoying sounds.

Music has always played a major role in godly worship. King David was a musician and wrote most of the songs recorded in the Bible. Hymns and worship songs still lead God’s people in bringing praise to our Heavenly Father. Psalm 100:1 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing.”

Music that brings us into God’s presence by worshipping Him brings joy to our hearts and calms our weary souls. Sing it out!