Reluctant Retiree

I took a physics class in both high school and college. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much from either class. I do remember a few properties of light, however. Light and darkness are mutually exclusive. When light comes, darkness flees. Some colors reflect light while other colors absorb light.

In the Bible, God and His truth are called light. Where God is, darkness cannot remain. Some people absorb God’s truth and let it shine through them. Others may only reflect His truth and don’t let it affect them in any way.

II Corinthians 4:6 says ,”For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ” To those who truly believe in Jesus and trust him as Lord and Savior, to those God has given His light to shine in the darkness all around us.

When we started to have children, many years ago, I wanted to make sure that I would fulfill every promise I made. I remembered being hurt when my parents did not or could not fulfill promises made to me. I didn’t want to inflict the same hurt upon my children.

Unfortunately, as we go through life we find out that promises are very often not fulfilled. Sales people and marketers often cannot substantiate their claims. Politicians overstate their intentions. Friends betray us. Hurts seem to come from all angles and many sources.

Despite our best intentions, we also fail to deliver on occasion. Only God is faithful all the time. God is faithful to His Word. He is faithful to His promises. He is faithful to His people. He is faithful to His unchanging character. God is faithful to me. II Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him (Jesus). That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. “

We all know people who light up a room when they enter it. When they arrive, people flock to them and just want to be in their presence. They have a certain flare and charisma. People feel lifted up while together with them and remain so after they have left.

Then there are those people who drain a room of its energy. They need constant attention and encouragement. Their problems are always so much bigger than everyone else’s, at least in their minds. When they leave, everyone else feels down emotionally and mentally.

Which group do you feel more aligned with? To be honest, I am probably closer to being in the second group. I don’t want attention or encouragement necessarily, but my personality probably doesn’t refresh others. I am an introvert and do not bring a lot of energy to a group of people. That is not to say that I wouldn’t prefer to be in the first group. I Corinthians 16:18 says, “for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.” I am asking God to help me be a refresher to the spirit of others.

I don’t spend a lot of time looking at myself in a mirror. Generally I like to see better looking objects. Sometimes I even forget what I look like, thinking I still have the appearance of a much younger man. I also tend to forget how old I am when I begin to do something strenuous. My mind seems to have stayed behind while I got old.

Fortunately, God has given a wonderful promise to us more mature folks. I Corinthians 15:40-44 says, “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. “

New bodies await all who believe in Jesus for their salvation. These resurrected bodies are powerful, glorious, and imperishable. In other words, our resurrected bodies are remarkably better than we see in the mirror.

We are babysitting our two year old granddaughter today. She is filled with wonder at so many things. Dice with letters on them, foam balls, colorful books, bubbles and magnetic tiles can entertain her all day. Even though she has seen these things dozens of times, she enjoys each one like it is her first time.

Adults are more jaded and easily bored by repetition. We even become irritated when we have to experience the same thing repeatedly. We’ve lost our sense of wonder at the intricacies of life.

If we don’t take time to stop and look around at the awesome things happening everywhere, we lose the sense of wonder that children possess. Exodus 15:11 says, “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Even a quick glance at the beauty of our world should give us a sense of wonder regarding the majesty of our God. We can search His Word and see the amazing works He has done for us by His grace.

Today is a foggy day in Northern Indiana. It is difficult seeing things at a distance in these conditions. You can make out the outline of distant objects, but not the fine details.

I am often in a mental fog while listening to people talk. I understand the general ideas they are communicating, but can’t quite follow the details or significance of their words.

God says that we are all like that regarding heavenly wisdom and knowledge. God is infinite and omniscient. His thoughts are not like our thoughts. While He teaches us many things about His character and purposes, we cannot understand everything about God. For those of us who believe in Jesus, we will spend eternity learning more clearly what we can only vaguely know now. I Corinthians 13:12 says, “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. ”

Yesterday I violated a principal that I know very well. I made a quick decision based upon my instincts and personal desires. I didn’t take much time to think about it and I certainly didn’t stop to pray about it. I didn’t ask God for wisdom or help. Later, I was convicted about my impatience and failure to pray. As of this writing I do not yet know the impact of my decision, but I have confessed my sin and turned the decision and consequences over to God.

In the future, my desire is to ask God for wisdom before making decisions. Psalm 38:15 says, “But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. “

Citizenship brings with it certain rights and privileges. However, those privileges vary widely from place to place. I have traveled to over 50 countries and have seen firsthand some of these differences. While Americans enjoy great freedoms, citizens of other countries do not. Many cannot choose where they go or even what job they can hold. Rather than government for the people, people are often not much more than servants for their leaders.

Where your citizenship resides has much to do with the life you lead. As believers in Jesus Christ, the Bible explains that our citizenship is in heaven. We live in this world, but as aliens from heaven. As citizens of heaven we are granted certain privileges. We are children of God and joint heirs with Christ. God has granted to us power and authority as well. This gives us freedom to act as ambassadors for the King. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself. ”

What are you waiting for? Believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life. Become a citizen of heaven.

I think that I know a lot about some subjects. Ask me questions in these areas and I am confident that I can answer. I have spent a lot of time in these areas and have researched these topics well. Mind you, there are not many subjects that I have good knowledge about. However, there are always people that know more about these subjects than I do. They can easily overwhelm me with their expertise.

So why do I feel such pride in my knowledge? Knowledge makes us proud and usually does not help others by itself. Love needs to come alongside knowledge to bring any benefit to others. When we have the knowledge to help, we also need love in order to reach out to others. Otherwise knowledge is useless.

I Corinthians 8:1-3 says, “we know that all of us possess knowledge. This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. ” Let God give you love, so that you can use knowledge to benefit others.

We are always looking for the next big thing. The newest fashion, the big game, the next scandal, new love, next big celebrity, a job change or promotion, or a higher salary all absorb our thoughts. The next big thing rarely satisfies our yearning. When it does come, we may be thrilled for the moment, but we are soon looking for the next big thing.

Once again, God has a better understanding. Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Small beginnings can lead to a lifetime of joy and fulfillment. On the wedding day, two individuals pledge their love and begin a family. With the Lord’s blessing love grows and children come. Someone starts a business with few resources, but with a good idea. Again, with the Lord’s blessing, the business grows, employees are hired and needs are met. Another person has an idea to serve God and man in some small way. With the Lord’s blessing people are served and encouraged.

Don’t be ashamed of your small start. Let God build it into something beautiful.