Today's thought in our series may take you a few more minutes to read, but it is full of deep thought and perhaps a fresh way of looking at retirement for the Christ-follower!
(Other ponderings are ~here~, ~here~, and ~here~.)
(Other ponderings are ~here~, ~here~, and ~here~.)
Much Yet to Do
“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” (Joshua 13:1)
There is no set “retirement age” for the Christian, for there is always “yet very much land to be possessed.” Joshua had survived 40 years in the wilderness, then led in the long hard conquest of Canaan, and was now at least 80 years of age. Not only was he “old and stricken in years,” but God even told him he was old! But instead of allowing him to settle down to enjoy a few retirement years in his hard-won new home, God sent Joshua out once again for further conquests.
That must always be the case with those who love and serve the Lord. There is still much Scripture to study and learn, many people yet to reach with a gospel witness, many with whom to share God’s love and comfort, much money yet to be earned to give to missions. Even those who must retire from active service or become confined at home still have much praying to accomplish.
No one who knows the redemptive love of Jesus Christ is ever too old to possess more “land” for the Lord. “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12-14).
Old age eventually comes to everyone who survives youth and middle age, but that does not mean it is time to quit. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalm 71:17-18).
~ Henry M. Morris, Jr.
“God told him he was old.” Yikes! When God says it, that settles it. Some of the dearest old folks I know don’t do big, amazing things. They have quiet testimonies of keeping on.
ReplyDeleteI have never done "big, amazing things" at any age! But like the dear old folks that you know, I hope to be faithful in what the Lord has for me to do all along the way. Keeping on . . .
Deletei've been thinking on just this thing for a while now, more so that i'm reaching a personal milestone of 60 in april. what is planned .. what should i plan .. based on the leading, strength, purpose of God's kingdom? sharing with the hubs. ♥
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot to think about, isn't it? As retirement is beginning to appear on the horizon for Ron (it will be a few more years because he robbed the cradle ~wink~), it is something that we've been pondering too. I love this thought of being used by God all the way.
DeleteI LOVED this...and it's something I've been dealing with recently and have seen God working first hand. I felt honestly like my days of leading bible study groups in my home were over. Over the years it seems like the majority of women were young and in the midst of their child rearing years and seemed as if I was just too old to relate to anymore. Then somehow God lead me to a couple of young teen-aged girls (who came to me!) which has lead to a few more. I am amazed at what God is doing! These YOUNG YOUNG women are truly listening to what God has for them through a 63 year old grandma of 13! Yes, God can and does use us long past the time we thought "our time" was over. I am grateful for the opportunity, and pray diligently that I am not in over my head with these young LIVELY girls, lol.
ReplyDeleteI love this testimony, Debbie! It is a real life example of the Titus 2 woman . . . the older woman teaching the younger. Wonderful!
DeleteI knew a man when I was growing up, who when he retired from his work job, retired from being an elder in the church etc. They then left to go to another church, but some years later returned and he became an elder again. He realized that you don't retire from serving the Lord. He lived into very old age.
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law has been such an example to me of continuing to serve the Lord and His people into old age. Now at 96, she has dementia and doesn't remember much in the short term, nor can she walk much anymore, but she gets up every morning and reads her Bible and prays.
I want to be like her in this way....
"You don't retire from serving the Lord." Absolutely! And your mother-in-law is one of the best examples I can think of of an older person who continues to serve the Lord as He leads. A servant of God is who she is and that just keeps flowing as the years go by. And she has such a sweet spirit and thankful heart, even though her life has certainly not been smooth sailing. That is the kind of old person that I aspire to be!
DeleteRetirement allows one to do new things for God that maybe there wasn't time for before. So many possibilities. It will be an exciting new adventure when it happens, as long as we keep looking outside ourselves. So thankful that we have younger people in our church who desire to hang out with older folks and glean from their wisdom. And you my friend, have done great things--for one, teaching all your children at home. For sure they will "rise up and call you blessed."
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Dotsie!
DeleteAs you know, I have always admired your church's mentoring group with older women teaching the younger women. I think you're right . . . there are so many opportunities for serving the Lord if we are open to them.
Very good to read indeed!
ReplyDeleteEncouraging, isn't it?!
DeleteRetirement is a few years away for us, but we're beginning to think about the things we would like to get involved in. There are many opportunities for service, no matter one's age.
ReplyDeleteI think it's that zest for living of which you spoke on one of the earlier posts in this series. If we want to serve the Lord (and not sit back and think that we have earned our rest), there are things we can do for the Kingdom!
DeleteAs Christians we never grow too old to do the work that is laid before us. It's a sad thing if we retire from serving our Lord. It may be in different ways, but there are always opportunities to be the hands and feet of our Savior. ♥
ReplyDeleteYes, Martha Ellen! That's a good point: we may serve in different ways, but we still serve the Lord as He directs and gives opportunity. Isn't that so true about life? It's the ebb and flow and the ability to change and grow, rather than dig in our heels and stop if we can't do what we once did.
DeleteHealth and age have brought new 'seasons' and sometimes that's hard after years of serving. Now is a special time to teach and be an example especially to our grands and to 'finish strong' and not settle or quit. He is faithful, and I want to be faithful until He comes or calls us home. . .
ReplyDeleteI love that idea of finishing strong!
DeleteLet a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Sometimes it requires a "pause" of sorts to realistically assess how/where to plug in with a new set of circumstances and realities.... No use to look back and try to recreate or repeat the past, but always to keep oneself prepared and available to respond to the challenges the Lord presents us with!
ReplyDeleteA "pause" is good . . . a time to hear from the Lord and prepare for the next step or the next path!
DeleteGood post. Retirement is certainly not a time to quit living, but to free us up to devote more of that living to the glory of God. And although all of life for the believer is to the glory of God, still more time can be focused on things of God.
ReplyDeleteI think it comes down to an outward (or upward) focus, rather than an inward focus as we grow older. The upward focus causes us to keep serving Him as we have opportunity. The inward focus (which seems to be the more "natural" thing) causes us to become selfish and grumpy because life is not easy.
DeleteI agree with Rebecca's take on this since Jim and I will most likely find ourselves in this situation whenever we relocate to TN. Neither one of us want to stop serving the Lord and we are looking forward to doing whatever He has for us to do, wherever that may be.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that you and Jim will find opportunities for service in your new place and that you will serve the Lord wherever you are!
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