Reluctant Retiree

As I have mentioned before, I am an avid walker. I began this avocation after brain surgery a couple years ago, as a way to regain my strength. It grew over time to the point where I now walk 10-12 miles per day. I enjoy the time outdoors, often communing with God.

Each day I get to choose which path I will take. Fortunately I have many good trails to select from. I most enjoy the nature trails close to home. Growing up in Southern California and spending a lot of time at the beach, I especially enjoy the trails alongside rivers and ponds.

I think we can all agree that it is vitally important to choose the right paths in life. Good paths take us through good marriages, schooling, and jobs. Bad choices can lead us to destruction.

God gives us warnings, direction, and promises regarding path selection in Psalm 1:1-3: “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.”

In these verses we are warned to stay away from the path of sin. We are directed to do all that the Lord wants us to do. If we do that, we are promised a fruitful and prosperous life. Which trail will you choose to walk today?

I am at the stage of life that I must write things down in order to remember them. All appointments must be recorded on my smartphone so I will be able to keep them. Before going to the grocery store we have to make a grocery list to make sure we get everything we need and only those things. If I need to take an item with me, I need to put it some place I will see it on my way out, preferably in my path, not adjacent to it.

God knows the human frailty of forgetting things. The Bible is full of stories of God’s people forgetting about Him and all the great works He had done for them. Things haven’t changed today. We still forget what God has said to us, even though we have His Word. So God has made provision for us to remember His works, His Word and Him. Hebrews 10:16 says, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.”

God gives His Holy Spirit to all who believe in Jesus. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer to teach God’s Word and empower obedience to God’s voice. So we can have the power within us to remember God’s Word and follow Him.

Have you ever spoken a thought and someone said, Great Idea”? I’m sure you have, because even I have come up with the so called great idea from time to time. Sure, my ideas haven’t been of the billion dollar invention or life altering form, but they have been beneficial to me and others at the time.

What kind of great idea do you want to originate? Is it some kind of medicine that is life saving? Perhaps you want to invent the next must have household appliance. Maybe you can come up with an idea that will help all people get along with each other, fostering world peace. I truly hope that you will be given the great idea of your dreams.

However, sometimes it is the old ideas that yield the greatest benefit. Ideas like loving your family and forgiving one another reap eternal rewards. Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” God calls steadfast love and faithfulness two great ideas. If we adhere to these two qualities, He promises that we will find favor with Him and with men. He also promises to give us good success. Aren’t these the very things we seek with our own great ideas?

Cries against injustices are heard around the world today. We demand justice in our judicial system and from our leaders. We want our laws, judges, and government to fair, right, and just. We expect all people to honor and respect all others.

Two obstacles face us in this struggle. First, on what basis do we determine what is fair, right, and just. Society’s standards change with each new generation. Where can we find an objective basis for ruling on justice. Second, human hearts are not capable of creating and maintaining an unselfish and truly objective justice system.

Proverbs 2:6-9 says, “For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk in integrity. He guards the path of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.”

Wisdom comes only from God. He gives wisdom and understanding to the godly; those who are faithful to Him. In His wisdom is understanding of what is right, just, and fair. Only political, judicial, and societal systems based on and dependent upon God’s wisdom can provide and support real justice.

Watching the Olympics I am struck by missed opportunities. In volleyball it is the bad serve at a critical point of the match. In baseball it is the failure to drive in runners in scoring position. In golf it could be one miss hit stroke. In gymnastics one slip can make a huge difference in your score.

I sincerely feel bad for these athletes that make one little mistake and it costs them desperately. They have worked hard and deserve the honor of representing their countries. They have my respect.

Of course, we all are susceptible to missed opportunities. We neglect to be kind to someone and miss the opportunity to build a relationship. We don’t forgive someone and miss the chance for reconciliation. We fail to stand up for a just cause and miss the opportunity to make an impact for good.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Some people read these verses to mean that we must stay busy. But they are really saying that we must always be doing the right things, not just anything to fill in the time. The right thing involves walking wisely, according to God’s standards. Then opportunities for good will not be missed.