09/21/22 RETIREMENT FROM WHAT?

09/21/22 RETIREMENT FROM WHAT?

TO RETIRE OR NOT TO RETIRE, THAT IS NOT EVEN A QUESTION
(all things being equal)

"Retirement" erroneously connotes withdrawing from life, doing nothing, being unproductive. Actual "Retirement" from the rat race allows a Christian to seek and serve God more fully, enjoy family more deeply, develop self and ministry more completely.

I watch brother Wade. He did not live for the "system." He worked hard to provide for family and the work of God, but when he "retired," he dove into more meaningful, more productive work opportunities completely. He sees the need of the hour, he sees the need of his family, he sees he need of others, he sees the need of his local church body. As he was able to withdraw from system obligations he invested himself more and more into eternal opportunities.

I watch him and appreciate his vision and commitment, but I am also concerned for his physical expenditure. He is his own boss and he is a faithful worker. He pushes himself because of his love for God. If you are use to an active and aggressive "work life," then you will also pursue an active and aggressive "retirement."

I mention brother Wade because he is the second oldest man in our church (after me) and he has chosen a path that should be taken by all who come to retirement. 

Even our years of earthly employment should be designed for maximum ministry service, but there is a great difference in available time for the person who is having to "make a living," and the person who is, "his own boss." Our "work-a-day" life should not be dedicated to another person's financial or social agenda. While on-the-job we should be loyal and productive, but never be a cog in another person's machinery.

This brings up another aspect. While working for someone else, we should not allow that person, that company, that workforce to mold our thinking, our attachments, our goals, our standards, our family commitments. When you see that you are losing control over the essentials of your life (spiritual, family, moral), you need to look for an exit into a better work situation. The "job" provides the finances for your life. The "job" should not be your life.

This is part of the problem with "retirement;" it comes at the end of our earthly journey, when our strength and health is not at its best. And this is why I encourage people to "retire" from the rat race (regardless of how much they like their job), and invest themselves in the race that God sets before them.