I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely.
Are you thinking of retiring? If you are, please don’t. Let me explain. The older I get the more I “get” that a little more rest, a slower pace, and a more reasonable to-do list is in order. After all, every living thing under the sun is winding down. It just is. So, I really do understand people who dream about retiring from their 9 to 5 jobs in favor of a more relaxing (and perhaps more satisfying) season of life.
Retirement Equals New Opportunities To Serve
What I’m totally opposed to is the idea that once a person retires from their vocation they are devoid of any obligation to continue serving others and adding value to the human race in general. Nada. I’m not quite sure where we Americans have gotten this whole concept of retirement = entitlement philosophy…but I can tell you one thing…it didn’t come from the bible I’m reading.
In fact, if you are a bible scholar you already know that Jesus advocates giving our lives away in service to others. He instructs those who follow Him to always be looking out for the welfare and needs of people around us. The whole idea of retirement = entitlement is unbiblical. Clearly so. Certainly, there is a definitive transition between a full-blown career and the more flexible years that follow. Vocation turns into avocation. But the underlying principle of service never goes away.
Retirement Means Freedom To Serve
I recognized this truth most recently when I led a women’s class at my church and one of the older ladies (eighty-one years to be exact) began sharing how God was continually bringing younger gals into her life (locally and long-distance) to counsel, encourage, and minister. What struck me most was that this married mom of five adult children and lots of grandchildren continued to love and serve her extended family as she always had done throughout the years…and in addition…she continued to serve women outside her family too. Even though her mind and body are slowing down, her spirit is gaining momentum. I marveled at what God could do with a person given over to His purpose no matter what their age. I looked at her and silently thought to myself, I want to be her when I grow up! Then I told her so.
Retirement, the word conjures up lots of colorful mental images in our aging society. Commercials, magazine articles, and major motion pictures consistently advertise the good life awaiting those who pass the finish line and enter retirement in earnest. But the real truth to fully enjoying those golden years isn’t what mainstream media has promised. In fact, it’s the polar opposite and there are studies to prove it.
Retirement Is The Time To Give Generously
Those who retire with a plan to continue working in a volunteer capacity fare better and adjust faster to the suddenly subdued pace of retirement than those who abruptly stop working without any preplanning. For those of us who believe that life begins (and ends) at retirement, think again. This next stage of life, which can now be expected to last twenty to thirty years, can only be truly satisfying if we continue to use our God-given gifts, talents, and loads of experience to build into others’ lives.
It may not seem glamorous or exciting but it’s true nonetheless. Those golden years will only feel as good as gold if we’re given over to whatever God’s great plan is for us. To be sure, God will want us to take some risks, enter some uncomfortable situations, and keep our eyes peeled for opportunities to love boldly. Then again, maybe retirement is entitlement…it’s the privilege we get to serve others with all the time in the world.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In