Reluctant Retiree

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.

When our daughter was young, we often played board games as a family. We tried to explain the rules to her so she could understand how the game was played. Periodically she would find a shortcut for her advantage. She was not trying to cheat, she just saw a faster way.

Rules come from various sources as we go through life. Lawmakers create laws to protect the rights of citizens, presumably. Organizations have rules for the efficient and effective achievement of their objectives. Businesses have rules in order to generate profits and benefit employees. Even the local park has rules for the use and enjoyment of the park.

Who makes all these rules? It is the people with the authority to do so, e.g. owners, politicians, charity leaders, etc. We can resist, but we do so at our own peril.

Similarly, God created all things. He retains authority over all things, people, governments, and places. In His authority, He has made the rules by which science, societies, and moral choices are judged. Again, we can rebel against these rules, but we do so at our own peril. It is a fearsome choice to rebel against Almighty God.

Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”

Every day, except Sunday, I walk 10 to 12 miles. Even though I am older now, my steps are usually firm and steady. I did have a short period a couple months ago when I tripped and fell 3 times. Unseen cracks in the sidewalks and trails took me down. I am trying to be more careful now.

Most of us want our walk through life’s obstacles to go smoothly. We want to avoid the troubles that can trip us up and make us fall. Unfortunately, troubles come to all of us, but there is a way to limit the damage.

Psalm 119:133 says, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” By asking God to fulfill His promises to us, He will lead us in a steadfast and secure path. He can keep any bad habit or sin from ruling over us. These are the things that can trip us up and make us fall. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

We can’t afford to be tripped up by things that can have a lasting impact. Therefore Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Put off the things that might trip you up and ask God to give you steady feet.

When I was growing up, two groups of people wanted me to hangout with them. First, there were the tough guys. They sought attention by constantly breaking the rules. At younger ages, this meant cursing, lying and petty thefts. The other group was the so called “good kids”. They weren’t particularly righteous, but rarely got into trouble.

I chose to hangout with the good kids. It wasn’t that I was a good kid, but rather that I was afraid of getting into trouble. Again, I didn’t do a lot of kind and good things, but I did avoid trouble, for the most part.

The Bible speaks about the importance of choosing our friends carefully. Proverbs 12:26 says, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” If our closest friends are living in righteousness, they will guide us in the same direction. However, if our closest friends are living wayward lives, they will lead us into evil. It is difficult to minimize the impact that our closest friends will have upon us. We will tend to become like them in many ways. Choose your friends carefully and wisely. Your friends will affect how you live.

I woke up this morning feeling weak. My morning walk was much shorter and I am having trouble motivating myself. I don’t know why I feel this way. I got plenty of sleep. Perhaps it is jetlag. So far I don’t think it is anything serious.

If you are like me, we face times and tasks that we just don’t feel we can handle. They may be problems we face or some new life obstacle comes to our path. We feel like we need additional strength and abilities to solve the problem and move forward.

Even the spiritual grant, Paul, faced similar situations and conditions. How did he address this situation? In II Corinthians 12:9-10 he wrote: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Following Jesus causes us to live contrary to our culture. Culture says that we can do anything if we put our mind to it. Sounds good but it is contrary to what God says. He says that He will provide the strength we need, but only when we acknowledge our own weakness. We neglect God’s power when we work in our own strength. He perfects His power where we are weak.