Reluctant Retiree

I grew up at a time when we had great confidence that we were hearing the truth from our parents, teachers, government officials, and news outlets. Then the late 60’s and the 70’s came and we began to question these information sources.

We were convinced that “they” could not be trusted to tell us things as they really were. All these authorities seemed to have agenda through which their “facts” were filtered and distorted.

It has only gotten worse since then. Every day brings charges of “fake news” and accusations of outright lies. These accusations are made against politicians, news outlets, professors, health leaders, and most anybody.

Who are we to believe? How can we find the truth when everybody seems to distort it?

We need an authority on the truth, who has never been accused of lying or distorting the truth.

Only one person qualifies as the authoritative truth-teller. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” He is Truth. Those who seek truth must come to Him for it and they will find it. He is forever trustworthy.

Foxnews’ website this morning quotes Greg Laurie as saying, “Never trade what you do know for what you don’t know.” Wise advice from the well known Southern California pastor.

We don’t know why the Covid 19 crisis is happening and we don’t know how long it will last. These things can make us anxious and worried.

For most of us, we do know that we have good relationships to support us, we have food for today, and we have adequate shelter and health. We also know the practices that can help us stay healthy.

For Greg Laurie, myself and millions of others, we also know that God is powerful and loves us. He also tells us that all things will work out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

I would add one more trade that we shouldn’t make. Don’t trade what you can do for what you can’t do. Okay, so there are a lot of things we can’t do right now. But there are also a lot of things we can do.

We can find ways to brighten the lives of others, like throwing a drive by appreciation parade for medical personnel or students.

We can call and encourage friends, relatives and acquaintances.

We can send an encouraging card to someone.

We can donate to worthy organizations serving those in need right now. Better yet, we can find ways to help them ourselves,

I am trying to say that there are dozens of worthy thoughts and actions we can take, right now, to help others and reduce our own anxiety.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who called according to his purpose.”

When I was working I probably wouldn’t have noticed how strange this day has turned out to be. As I began my morning walk it was sunny and somewhat clear. By the time I finished it was snowing. It is April 15 and it looks a lot like January outside.

But the weather is not the strangest thing about this day. Usually April 15 is tax day, a day to settle accounts with the IRS. Instead I received a check from the IRS today. It is the promised economic stimulus check. Even though receiving the check was anticipated, it is still strange to receive money from the government today.

Because I am retired, I now have more opportunity to contemplate these oddities. Of course there are always greater unusual occurrences to think about.

The greatest of these is the truth that a holy God would send His Son to take on human form, with all our weaknesses. The Son then bore the punishment for our sins and died for rebellious sinners like me. The Father accepted this sacrifice as just payment for my sins. I do not deserve such grace and mercy.

Today I am thinking about God’s amazing grace and thanking Him for all He has done for me. I hope you can join me in thanksgiving.

“For Gos so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV

Sure, some things have changed during shelter in place, but resilience has come to the forefront.

I miss seeing my kids and grandkids, but we still keep in touch via video conferencing, emails, and social media. Not the same but good enough for now.

I miss baseball, but I can still watch classic games on YouTube. Not quite as good, but not bad.

I miss going to the store when I want and without protective gear, but I can still go and I have everything I need.

I still walk several miles a day, but now there is much less traffic. Not the same, but even better and safer.

I miss not being able to go where I want when I want, but I do get out. Not the same but acceptable.

I miss going to church and being with my church family, but we do enjoy church online.

Things have changed temporarily, some for good and some not so good. We have all found ways to get around the inconveniences and enjoy things in a diiferent way. For that I am grateful.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Every news report, almost every TV commercial, and most of my mail uses the phrase, “in these uncertain times”. If they don’t use that specific phrase, they will use one just like it. For example how many times have you heard or read “challenging circumstances” or “rapidly changing events” in recent days.

In my 70 years of life, times and events have always been uncertain, challenging and rapidly changing. It seems like I am always trying to “flatten the curve” so I can somehow slowdown and catch a breath. I don’t know about you, but everyone around me seems to be in the same sort of mindset.

What can we do to slow things down? How do we maintain a right view of the events around us? Who can we trust to tell us something that is both encouaging and true.

If you have been reading this blog, it will not surprise you that I find all these things in Jesus. He is my anchor in challenging times. He is my Rock and Deliverer. He leads me in truth and gives me hope in uncertain times. He will do the same for you.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” These are the words of Jesus in John 14:27 ESV

I have a practice of walking every morning. Because the weather is unpredictable, I check several sources before heading outside.

When I first went outside this morning I thought I was overdressed. The temperature was warmer than expected and the air was calm. Thirty minutes later a strong wind came up and it was swirling. No matter what direction I was headed, I was walking into the wind.

Suddenly, I was glad to have those extra layers of clothing. I went out walking in the afternoon, and the wind had only gotten stronger and colder.

The changing winds remind me of pop culture. New ideas come and go, but it seems that people get caught up in them nonetheless. Social media adds to this phenomenon. Just a little while ago it was popular to film yourself leaving a moving vehicle to dance alongside of it. It seems a new social challenge is made popular every week.

Most of these trends are harmless and pass quickly. Others, however, change our thoughts, values and behaviors. These can be disturbing or even dangerous. Keeping with the Kardasians can make you believe that superficiality is glamorous. Fame, no matter how it is achieved, becomes the goal.

Most people find that following the social media winds leads to emptiness and sorrow. Feeding your soul with truth and meaningful activity provides much longer term joy and fulfillment.

Serving others blesses them as well as your own heart. Searching for the truth strengthens the soul and brings true happiness.

“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11

Most people look forward to Spring. After the harshness of winter, the warmer temperatures and the chance to get ouside more is welcome. Flowers start to blossom, leaves return to trees, and the grass turns green again. What’s not to like?

This year is different. We are called to shelter in place, stay home. What a huge dissapointment and a waste of sunshine!

One of the permitted activities is walking. So I am making good use of the opportunity to walk several times a day. I maintain the appropriate social distancing. Frankly that is not too hard as few other people are out.

Besides the exercise, I am finding another surprising benefit. I’ve had the joy of meeting and talking to many of my neighbors. We just speak loudly so our voices carry over the required distances. Some of these neighbors are suffering or lonely. We have brought food to some but most just enjoy the company to offset the loneliness.

These interactions also bring us surprising joy, in the casual conversations and mutual blessings. So let’s all get up and go for a walk.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

The best thing about growing up in Southern California was access to the beach. I wasn’t a surfer, primarily because I couldn’t afford a surfboard. At least that was my public reason for not surfing. The real reason was probably that I had no real sense of balance.

Regardless, I loved to go to the beach whenever I could. I loved everything about it including the water, the sand and the sun. The activities were endless with bodysurfing, tackle football, frisbee, and swimming.

As I got older the activity decreased, but I still love the beach. Now I love to go to just sit quietly and watch/listen to the waves. There is something so peaceful about it. Looking out to the vastness of the seas and listening to the rhythm of the waves seems to connect me to God and His creation.

I begin to understand how Big He is to have created and still oversee vast oceans. As I look at ships on the horizon I can picure how small I am in relation to everything else. And yet, God says that He knows me and delights in me. How can this be? My heart can only respond in love and adoration.

Where do you find a connection to God and His creation?

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

At the time of this blog, all but nine states have issued a”shelter in place” or”stay home” order of some kind. We all hope and pray that this type of protection, along with others, has its desired effect of slowing and stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

This got me thinking about what other kinds of shelter am I trusting in to protect me. First, we live in an apartment complex. I have no idea how strongly this building was constructed or whether it can hold up against weather threats, for instance. Based upon experience, I am pretty sure that property management will not protect us against dangers.

Secondly, as a retiree I rely on the shelters of 401Ks, IRAs, and Social Security. During the pandemic, we have already seen stock prices plummet, endangering the shelter that these have provided. The whims of government could alter the shelter of Social Security some day.

Friends and family provide some shelter. However they have shelter needs as well, so they can’t always respond.

The point is that we all rely on certain forms of shelter. The efficacy and security of these shelters is inconsistent at best. So what can we trust to provide consistent effective shelter through life’s storms.

For me, the only shelter that I can trust is Jesus. He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He rules heaven and earth. Yet, He knows me and loves me. He promises that He will provide for me and protect me. He is my shelter. You can trust Him to be your shelter too.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'” Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

As I write this we are at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Around the world lives have been dramatically impacted. Schools are closed and businesses are shuttered. Unemployment claims have skyrocketed. Thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have fallen ill from the virus.

We are all asking questions. How long will the pandemic last? How many people will die from this disease? Will I get it? If I do get it, will I die?

These are serious questions with serious consequences. I sure don’t have the answers.

One thing we have to ask ourselves is what am I willing to do so that I don’t get the COVID19 virus? Is social distancing enough or must I stay home and away from everybody? Should I wear a mask and when?

I’ve struggled with these questions. My wife and I moved to this area specifically to be near our kids and grandkids. Now we don’t see either and it may be weeks before we do. As a personal note I am willing to take the risk of visiting them but my wife is not. Thank God for online media tools that make it possible to see them and talk with them.

How do we get through this when there is no end in sight? For me, my hope and faith is in God. He is not surprised by these events and He is able to bring me safely through to the other side. He is a shield about me, my rock, my fortress, and my help in times of trouble. I pray that you can find some comfort in these times, but even more than that, I pray that you find hope in the true comfort of Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:3 ESV