Have you begun thinking about retirement? Are you in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s? I met a young woman who has pledged to teach students to prepare their minds to retire at 30. More on her in a future article.
I have to be honest, when I was a child I never believed I would live to be 21. When I was in my 30s I wanted to retire at 55. I was working in a corporate environment getting a good paycheck every other week. My bills were paid. I lived in a beautiful house and had my own car. I could buy what I wanted, eat where I wanted and vacation three weeks out of the year. I had a 401(k) and a savings account.
It was easy for me to plan for my future retirement. But then life jumped in and my life was turned upside down by the decisions that I began to make. I had too much time and not enough God in my life. I I was not wise in the use of my time; nor with the people I chose to spend my time. I had never read or heard Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." I didn't know God's desire for me to be wise in the use of my time, nor in my day to day activities.
In Ephesians 5:15 - 18 the Lord tells us "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Be filled with the Holy Spirit. I thank God that I am, and because I am, my life has become so rich and rewarding. Not rich in coins, but rich in wisdom and time. I no longer think about retiring. I have accepted the word that God has given us 120 years. So for me I have a very long time before I retire. I have a lot of time to manage all of the responsibilities and tasks that the Lord places in my path each and every day.
Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."
In reality, the Lord can take me home as I type this message. Yet I live my life as if I'm just starting it anew. This message should have been saved for June 24th, but I write it today because this is when the Lord has given it to me.
Why pine away your hours looking to retire? Why not use your time to build up relationships and develop projects that will glorify God? Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Retiring minds should want to know..."Lord what is it you desire of me?"
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