Retirement

I’ve been thinking a lot about retirement lately—not because it’s a goal that I’m about to reach, but because the people that are around me think that it’s a huge landmark in my life.  For me, I’d keep on working if I had the strength and energy to do my job, but my body is sending me messages telling me that I can’t do it anymore.  In addition, I’ve also been reflecting on why I am not as excited about retiring as people think that I should be.  This morning I’ve come to realize why I don’t feel the way others think I should be feeling.

One of the driving principles of my life is “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23).  When Paul says, “Whatever you do…” I hear his voice echo in my roles as a husband, father, son, neighbor, friend, as well as an employee.  As Paul speaks to me in every facet of my life, I also hear Jesus say, “If you love Me, keep My commands” (John 14:15).

Do I live perfectly?  Absolutely not!  In fact, I have far more failures than I have successes.  Do I do things begrudgingly?  More often than I’d like to admit.  Do I pour my whole heart in everything I’m doing?  Not on your life.  Do I acknowledge the Lord in every area of my life?  This is where I struggle the most.  When I recognize Him, there is often a conflict of wills; there is a battle for control.  It’s like a war between two kingdoms.

I guess this is why the idea of retirement is not a big deal to me.  Retirement is like being in another place and putting on another hat or stepping into a different role with the question, “Are you God’s man?” leading the way.  This is the question that I hear Paul answering when he says, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward…” (Ephesians 6:7-8)

I do not usually have immediate gratification in serving God, but I think that Scripture is continually asking the question, “Are you satisfied with your life?”  Perhaps this is the question Jesus was answering when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) and why Paul concludes that this is the reason why we “long for His appearing” (II Timothy 4:8).