Reluctant Retiree

The sun rose this morning, just like it has since creation. We can count on it because it has been proven to true over a long time.

Jesus rose from the grave 2000 years ago. We believe this truth because it has been proven to be true in history and in the lives of millions of people for a long time. The evidence is overwhelming and available for anyone to search.

Today is Easter, the day when believers remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We shout “Hallelujah! He is risen! He is alive and living in me today!

I Corinthians 15:3-4 says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Jesus did all this so that you and I could believe and be saved from our sins.

If you were to look in my closet, you would find mostly t-shirts and jeans. When I was working, I had to wear a shirt and tie. But I have always been a casual wear type of guy, much more comfortable in jeans than a suit. I still have a suit, but I don’t know where it is.

One of the perks of retirement is dressing as you wish. I have never been one to seek the fancy things. I don’t care for fancy restaurants. I dislike dressing up for fancy occasions. I don’t want fancy accessories, like expensive watches. Royal weddings turn me off with all the pomp. I just don’t relate to these things.

For those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God gives us fancy, but meaningful titles and positions. We are children of the one true King, royal ambassadors, and ministers of reconciliation. Because He has bestowed these honors upon us, we are called to live in accordance with these glorious positions.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” So even though our titles are lofty, we are called to humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace. Consider these qualities to be your royal uniform. This is the fancy clothing that I can live with and aspire to wear.

As I get older I seem to fall into more routines. I don’t even think about it, they just happen. Some routines are good, as they remind me of things I need to do, like take my medicines. Other routines can get in the way of doing something better or thinking of different ways to do something. Mostly they keep me from being observant and alert to my environment.

One of the most harmful effects of mindless routines is in keeping me from doing new things. I have always been an adventurous person, but without thinking it through I am settling for less. I have lived overseas and traveled to over 50 countries, but I haven’t entertained the idea of going anywhere for quite some time. I like my home routine.

God doesn’t want us stuck in useless routines. He has new and exciting adventures for us. He wants to do new works in and through us. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I must point out that for God to do the new works in us, we first have to be in Christ. That involves giving our lives to Jesus. Trust me; you will never regret it.

In one of my previous jobs I had to fly quite frequently. In fact I flew to San Francisco, where we had another office, 27 times one year. On the plus side I did get to fly to Hawaii 11 times in another year. The flying got to be so familiar that I wouldn’t even think about where I was going until I was driving to the airport.

Its funny how we can do something so often that we begin to function by rote memory. The problem with that is we forget to ask “Why” we are doing what we do. Answering this question gives us the motivation we need to do our best and maybe even serve others well.

God answers the “Why” question for us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ” The first thing to note is that God created us and, in fact, our design is evidence of His good workmanship. Secondly, we were made for good works in Jesus. And thirdly, were created to walk in these good works.

It is obvious that we, therefore, cannot fulfill our purpose without Jesus Christ. Knowing and fulfilling the purpose for which we were created begins with faith in Jesus Christ. Begin the journey of faith and good works today by putting your trust in Jesus.

Do you remember the television show Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous? Every week the host would visit the estates, mansions and palaces of celebrities, world leaders and the wealthy. We were taken on virtual tours through these properties and exposed to the most lavish accommodations and features available. I dare say that this show inspired many people to make a goal of living lavishly.

I wonder how many of those people were truly happy. It seems to me that once you acquire all those possessions you just want more or you get bored with what you have. That explains why these properties change hands so often.

I aspire to a different type of lavish living. Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Grace is unmerited favor. So God lavishly gave us favor, not because we deserved it or earned it. But rather, He gave us this grace based upon the blood of His own Son. Part of this lavish grace is redemption and forgiveness of sins. This is the lavish living that I want to live with. It is available to everyone who turns from their sins and trust Jesus for salvation. You are invited to this lavish living.

Obviously, I am retired now, but I had a job from the time I was 15 years old. I worked in a liquor store, hospital, schools, banks, fast food restaurant, church, and offices. For the last 15 years of employment I was a missionary, first in Nepal and then in all of Asia. Some of these jobs I enjoyed like banking and missions. Some I did not, like fast food manager and janitor. Some jobs I was good at, like banking and hospital accounting. Some jobs I did not do well with, like teaching and cleaning.

Life is better when you enjoy the work that you are doing. It is much easier to get up and go to the job, if it brings some pleasure and satisfaction. As a retiree there are some aspects I like and some that I do not care for. I like setting my own schedule and being able to volunteer at a variety of charities. Although I enjoy relaxing, sometimes retirement can becom become a little tedious.

The Bible says that God is always working. It also says that He will complete the work that He has begun in His children. What does He enjoy? Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. ” It pleases God to work in us, equipping us with everything good. God enjoys transforming His children into the image of His Son.

My wife and I are in the process of buying a condominium. After renting for six years, it has become more economical to buy. As with any house we could acquire, the condo needs some work, if for nothing else but to make it more comfortable for us. The problem is that I am not very handy at this type of work. My wife is the one in our family with skills. I will do what I can, but I will need her counsel, at minimum.

Of course, when we were younger and building a home, not just a house, we worked well together. We imparted good values and habits to our children while promoting a healthy and strong environment for their growth. I can say that now, like it was easy, because our three children all turned out to be good people.

However, it wasn’t entirely our doing, or really even mostly our doing. Early on we committed ourselves to following Jesus and His guidance. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. ” We have found this verse to be true. Without the Lord’s blessing and grace, we would have made a mess, rather than a home.

Have you ever watched the Ironman Triathlon? These incredible athletes swim more than 2 miles, bike more than 100 miles and run 26 miles. They battle the heat, pain, exhaustion and mental agony for more than 8 hours.

What makes them endure so much pain and continue on? It is the Finish Line. They endure the pain for the glory of the Finish.

We do the same thing all the time. When we go on vacation by car with kids, we endure the backseat noise, complaints, and quarrels, because we know that when we get to our destination we will have a good time. On our way up the corporate ladder, we endure menial tasks, office politics, and disappointments to arrive at a fulfilling and productive position.

Life often gives us obstacles to overcome as well. Disappointment and frustration come at us from various sources. How can we not just endure sufferings, but overcome them and be victorious? In Hebrews 12:1-2 God shows us the way and gives us a model. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

For those of us who love God and believe in Jesus, we can endure the suffering by fixing our eyes on Jesus and the glorious eternity that awaits us at the finish line. Endurance is made much easier if we also lay aside sin and the worldly passions that slow us down. Jesus is our example.

I am not a big worrier, but I do get anxious about some things. Anxiety sets in with an upcoming dentist appointment. If there is a long line at the store, I begin to wonder whether I will make it to my next meeting. If I desire some new thing, I may ponder whether I will ever be able to get it. When one of my children or grandchildren is struggling, I can be anxious about the outcome.

Those are relatively minor worries. We are all subject to much greater issues that can cause us to worry. Job stresses, unpaid bills, health issues, and relationship struggles can cause major fits of anxiety.

Most worry comes from a lack of contentment with who we are and what we want to control. We worry because we don’t have enough of the right things or the right appearance before others. We think that if we just get that new thing or update our look, others will admire us. It’s all about our self esteem.

God has a better way. Psalm 131:1-2 says, “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. ” God says that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. He tells us to be content in who He created us to be. Therefore, we should be content in what we have also.

After 70 years of life, I am well aware of my many faults. My ears and nose are too big for my face. My hearing and eyesight are failing. Flabby skin and hair cover too much of my body. Those are just some of my physical deficiencies. On the social and emotional spectrum, I am too easily irritated. My speech reflects my awkwardness. Because I don’t always understand others, I often lack empathy. And those are just some of my most obvious failures.

Those are the ways that I most often see myself. It would be depressing if God didn’t hold a different view of me. Psalm 139:1-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” God gave me a special design and He is very pleased with it. How can I find fault with His design. On the spiritual side, God loved me enough to sacrifice His own Son so that I can live with Him eternally. I am His beloved and He delights in me. By His Spirit, He is transforming me into the image of His Son. Oh, I am not perfect, but God is always working on me to make me better. His works are wonderful.