Finishing Well (2)
Following up yesterday's post, let me suggest that it is never too early to think about and make plans for finishing well. No matter how young we are and no matter how well or poorly we may feel we're running the race right now, we can find grace to run well from here on out, and to finish the race with grace and victory in Christ.
Here's a bit of how I'm preparing to finish well:
1. I've sensed the need to consciously and firmly renounce retirement (as defined by the world today). I can have no thoughts in my mind (because I can see no hint of the idea in the Bible) of a period of time while still on earth, when I will take it easy. That cannot be a category for me.
2. I've cultivated an understanding of and hope in the Christian's real and only retirement plan: heaven. We will rest and enjoy God's World in all its beauty and glory when we get there. Until then we work for the kingdom. I'm to invest in heaven's retirement plan, and spend and be spent in the meantime in order to maximixe my investments for it.
3. I've kept in mind the biblical teaching that heaven is going to be the new heavens and the new earth--which I take to mean, this earth remade, only better. That means that I do not have to worry about saving up bundles of money and months and years of time for getting lots of travel in or seeing the world before it's too late. Why not? Because I really and truly will have eternity to see all the world in all its glory and beauty. I see little need to be world traveler in my old age, because I will have the eternal age to travel the galaxies. I'm not saying that travel is wrong or that I will do none of it, but I am suggesting that we'd all do well to relinquish any obsessive see-the-world-or-tour-the-country dreams (as any kind of strong desire) in order to free our minds to think about doing the more important things in the last stretch of life.
4. I'm preparing my heart to let go of desires that feed a clinging to this life and a craving for comfort and ease; things like typical grand-daddy desires to be near and to see my grand-children grow up. I'm readying my heart to let my precious little grand-children go with their dads and moms wherever God wants them. I believe that if for the sake of the kingdom, I forsake any claims to gathering my grand-kids around me in my old age, I will receive back one hundred-fold. Plus I will not find myself clinging to demands and expectations for family that create discontentment or distraction in my heart. Besides I am convinced that I will see them grow up from the perfect vantage of heaven when I die.
There are some rather hastily thrown together thoughts. I assure you: they are not hastily or superficially considered (they have been much in mind for a number of years), but they are hastily expressed, since time is short today. More tomorrow.
Here's a bit of how I'm preparing to finish well:
1. I've sensed the need to consciously and firmly renounce retirement (as defined by the world today). I can have no thoughts in my mind (because I can see no hint of the idea in the Bible) of a period of time while still on earth, when I will take it easy. That cannot be a category for me.
2. I've cultivated an understanding of and hope in the Christian's real and only retirement plan: heaven. We will rest and enjoy God's World in all its beauty and glory when we get there. Until then we work for the kingdom. I'm to invest in heaven's retirement plan, and spend and be spent in the meantime in order to maximixe my investments for it.
3. I've kept in mind the biblical teaching that heaven is going to be the new heavens and the new earth--which I take to mean, this earth remade, only better. That means that I do not have to worry about saving up bundles of money and months and years of time for getting lots of travel in or seeing the world before it's too late. Why not? Because I really and truly will have eternity to see all the world in all its glory and beauty. I see little need to be world traveler in my old age, because I will have the eternal age to travel the galaxies. I'm not saying that travel is wrong or that I will do none of it, but I am suggesting that we'd all do well to relinquish any obsessive see-the-world-or-tour-the-country dreams (as any kind of strong desire) in order to free our minds to think about doing the more important things in the last stretch of life.
4. I'm preparing my heart to let go of desires that feed a clinging to this life and a craving for comfort and ease; things like typical grand-daddy desires to be near and to see my grand-children grow up. I'm readying my heart to let my precious little grand-children go with their dads and moms wherever God wants them. I believe that if for the sake of the kingdom, I forsake any claims to gathering my grand-kids around me in my old age, I will receive back one hundred-fold. Plus I will not find myself clinging to demands and expectations for family that create discontentment or distraction in my heart. Besides I am convinced that I will see them grow up from the perfect vantage of heaven when I die.
There are some rather hastily thrown together thoughts. I assure you: they are not hastily or superficially considered (they have been much in mind for a number of years), but they are hastily expressed, since time is short today. More tomorrow.
Labels: christian life, Old(er) Age, Retirement
posted by Tim Shorey at
11:11 AM
9 Comments:
"I'm working for the Lord. The benefits are great, and the retirement plan is out of this world!"
kinda cheesy. pretty accurate...
There is a whole lot of truth in this Alina! And it's a lot shorter way of putting it than the way I said it!
This comment has been removed by the author.
BTW folks: that really was Gayline.
Tim
Ok, let me try this again. Sorry for the mixup!
I've read the reason for the American retirement mentality is because of a misunderstanding of work. God gave work to man to be a blessing not a curse. When we view it as a curse we are constantly chafing against it. This is evidenced in the TGIF mindset. As Christians one day (not a whole weekend), should be enough and our attitude ought to be TYGFADOR (Thank you God for a day of rest).
I know I enjoy a day off most when I've labored the hardest. I can't say I've labored hard for God but I do find my heart panting for The Day of Rest promised me and purchase for me by Christ.
May 6, 2009 5:20 PM
And yes, that was Gayline, not me.
Tim
Tim, I remember my Theological training years as I was in my mid 20's, I always looked up to godly examples of men in their 40's & 50's. Now I am a guy in my mid 50's and I long to look up to godly men in their 60's and 70's. Sadly, there aren't as many examples. I remember Pastor Martin saying that old godly men are rare indeed. As I look at the older men in the world, many become bitter and jaded. Those of us who are pressing into the last season of our lives, need to remember the biblical model of church rule by elder or presbyters. The elder men ought to be a rich depository of grace, wisdom and sensitivity. How much more should we be reminded and remind each other the importance of finishing well. As the youth in our congregation look at the older men, I wonder, what do they see?
Oh how we should be ready to encourage our younger brethren by our example and when possible, our words. May God remind us, the "older guys", that a generation or two are watching us. Not so much what we say, but how we live. God help us to be living epistles of the grace of God.
JR
I like the fact that we will be living on a new earth, the way we were supposed to be living before the fall. I long for the day to worship Christ unhindered by my sin nature. I long to look not through a glass darkly, but see my Lord face to face.
I am extrememly excited for your upcoming series of passing our Christian faith legacy on to the next generation, Tim. it nearly preoccupies me every day of how shall Mary and I raise our child (maybe one day children?) to seek the Lord above all else, and to seek humility in Christ, and to serve others, over self esteem.
By the way, this was your not so humble (but striving for more humility every day!) servant Gregory.
I love the comments folks; makes this a lot of fun!
Please keep it up.
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