Reluctant Retiree

I go for an extended walk most every morning. I do this in the early morning, often before the sun comes up. So it is dark and I have to watch my steps. I don’t know about your neighborhood, but the sidewalks around here are uneven at best. In my old neighborhood I tripped on uneven sidewalks several times causing falls and skinned arms and legs. So I have developed the habit of looking down when I walk. That, too, can be a problem. I could easily run into something.

God tells us where we should focus our attention while we are walking through life. In the book of Hebrews, He tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and perfector of our faith.” Jesus has set the example for us to follow and, because we are weak, He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to follow Him. In Colossians 3:1-2 God also instructs us on where our minds should be focused; “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

So looking down may not be healthy for us physically. For our daily walk of life we should be looking at Jesus to know the way that we should go, while keeping our minds focused on heavenly things.

Throughout my life I have not been good at receiving discipline. When those in authority find it necessary to discuss my shortcomings, I immediately put up a wall. Oh I listen respectfully, but my heart and mind are raising all kinds of excuses. After a period of calming down, I can usually see the merits of their discussion. Often I am even grateful for what they had to say as I understand how the discipline can help me to be better.

It is sad that many times today people mount a full scale counterattack when properly disciplined rather than attempting to learn from it. With social media, these counterattacks do a lot of damage.

Sometimes God finds it necessary to discipline us. He loves us and wants us to become more Christ-like, so when he sees our destructive behavior, he tenderly but firmly leads us back to righteousness. Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son,do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'”

So just as parents discipline their children because they love them, so our heavenly Father disciplines His children out of His great love for us. We need to recognize this and try to learn from it.

As I was walking this morning, I watched a duck swimming in the canal. It wasn’t moving fast, but still created a wake in the water. The wake started in a point directly behind the duck and spread out in a v-shape.

I doubt very much that the duck understood its impact upon the water. In the same way, we rarely understand the impact that we leave behind us. The reckless driver leaves a wake of fear, anxiety and anger as he weaves in and out of traffic, nearly causing several accidents. The angry customer leaves behind confusion and distress. However a single act of unexpected kindness creates a trail of joy and hope.

As we go through our day, we leave a wake for others to wade through. By showing kindness and love, we leave a path of good works and positive thoughts. On the other hand, anger and thoughtlessness creates a wake of pain and suffering for those who follow.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We have a choice as to what kind of wake we leave for others. We can submit to God and leave a sweet smell for those who follow. Or we can leave the stench of selfishness and ingratitude.

Although I walk almost every day, my wife and I walked a trail that was new to us today. Of course, we had the advantage of someone going before us and marking the trail, evensmoothingoutthesurface. The pioneers did not have this advantage. The made their own trails in the wilderness before them.

In life, most of the time we are following the trails that others have forged. We benefit from the experience and knowledge of our forerunners. And we should take advantage of their counsel.

However sometimes we have to blaze our own new trail. We may be the first in our family to attend college, for example. Or we may have some new product or business idea that requires an entrepreneurial spirit.

The Bible tells us the stories of several people who were pioneers. God called Abraham to leave his family and home to go to a place he had never been before, but a place where God promised to bless him. Moses was called to lead his people through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Timothy, and others were called to take the gospel to far away places.

Did these Biblical pioneers have all the answers before they began their journeys? Of course not! They simply heard the call and obeyed, believing God’s promises.

I believe that God is calling each one of us in a similar way today. He wants us to leave the familiar so that He can give us even greater blessings. Read Paul’s words about his journey and let them inspire you to pioneer a new path with Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Since moving to our new home almost two weeks ago, we have not had an internet connection. It was finally installed today. In the interim we have been going to the library every day to be able to do some basic tasks. I began to understand how important that connection is for us.

Of course, there are other important connections in life. We want to be connected with our family and friends. It is important to us to stay in touch with them and to continually express our love to them.

We found out how important this is when we lived in Nepal. After the royal family was assassinated in 2001, the government shut down all communications systems for nine days. We could not make outgoing calls or receive calls, along with having no email or internet access. This shutdown came at a time when we were concerned with the health of my wife’s father. So it was hard to be unable to get updates.

There is another important connection that we all need to pay attention to, the spiritual connection to God. We often neglect this connection, especially with our busy lifestyles. But God is a jealous God who wants us to communicate with Him often. We can’t blame government restrictions or third-party delays. God commands, “Continue steadfastly in prayer being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 Steadfast prayer is ceaseless, persevering, constantly looking to make connection and alert to any distractions from the relationship. The admonition to be thankful reminds us of the privilege we have in coming to Almighty God with our prayers.

So please don’t neglect the important connections in your life. Stay in frequent communications with family, friends and, most importantly, with God.

It’s May 9th and it is snowing outside. That is just not right. Some things should not go together, like May and snow. These unmatchable things seem to violate nature, or at least common sense.

We all understand the theory of unmatchable things when it comes to food. I wouldn’t put ice cream on top of soup. I wouldn’t ask for ice cold lemonade on a day like today. Cookies and milk go together, but broccoli doesn’t go well with cookies for me.

We also use the theory of match ability in life. We use the phrase, “they make such a cute couple” when looking at two people obviously in love. We take aptitude tests to determine good career matches for our personalities and abilities. We try to match our interests with our aspirations.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, my actions should match my words. Admittedly, some times they don’t match, but over time they are becoming more in sync. I truly desire to become more Christ-like in my words and actions. I John 1:5-7 says, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to walk in the light. Walking in darkness brings pain. Therefore I choose to draw close to the One who is Light, Jesus Christ.

To end the week of discussion regarding the uniqueness of God, it is appropriate that we talk about the holiness of God. Holy means separated or completely distinct from the creation.

God alone is always Holy. Revelation 15:4 says, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are Holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Because He is Holy, everyone will worship Him.

God alone is holy, so His people will be holy. I Peter 1:16 says, “since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

God alone sacrificed His own Son in order to present His people holy and blameless before the Father. Colossians 1:22 says, “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him. “

God’s name alone is holy. Psalm 111:9 says, “He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!”

God alone is majestic in holiness. 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?”

Nothing and no one can compare to our holy God. His deeds are all glorious and righteous. We have the promise of holiness if we give our lives to Jesus.

Another blessing that God offers His children is secure protection from evil. So I continue the series on God alone is… by discussing the protection of God.

God alone is my shield. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped.”

God alone is my rock, fortress and deliverer. Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

God alone is our refuge and strength. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

God alone is my stronghold. Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.”

God alone protects His children. Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. “

God provides all inclusive protection from evil for those who trust Him. Why not give your life to Him and receive this tender care?

Today I continue the series entitled God alone is… I will focus on God’s goodness in this fourth title in the series.

God alone is good all the time

God alone is good to all people

God alone brings His goodness to follow me all the days of my life

God alone works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes

God alone will perfect the good work He has begun in me

God alone gives every good and perfect gift

God alone has given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

God alone is great in goodness and beauty

Titus 3:4-5 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

We cannot earn salvation by performing good works. God alone, in His goodness and love and mercy, can give us salvation, if we trust Him.

Again, I am continuing the series entitled God alone is… Today I will focus on God’s love. While I cannot possibly do this topic justice, I do have a few thoughts that God has given me lately.

God alone loved me before the foundation of the world

God alone loves me with an abundant love that has no limit

God alone loves me with a steadfast love that never changes

God alone loves me with an eternal love that will never end

God alone loves me just as I am, but loves me enough not to leave me in this condition. His love is transforming me into the image of His Son.

God alone loves me enough to sacrifice His only Son so that I can live with Him eternally.

God alone loves me with a love so great that I am compelled to share it with others. I John 4:8-12 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

God demonstrated His great love for us by sacrificing His Son that we may have forgiveness of our sins and live with Him eternally. We can trust Him in this love.