I’ve been “retired” from being a church pastor for about 11 years now. Overall, it’s been enjoyable and meaningful. I was blessed to spend the first 6 years of retirement with my 1^st wife, Claudia, as we thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Jamaica, Africa and New Orleans on mission trips, Hawaii, Ireland, Florida, and Alaska (not all in retirement). Then I had 3 single years after she died that were not so much fun, but then God led me to find my wonderful new wife Ellen these last 2+ years, and we have both enjoyed our trips to Florida several times, as well as the Outer Banks and a recent land-cruise trip to Alaska! And we certainly hope to go more places in the future, God willing.  

Now, I can hear some saying “the word retire is not in the Bible!” While that is true, life circumstances are always changing, and there’s nothing wrong with letting go of an income-producing occupation and moving into another aspect of life where God can use you in a different way to advance his Kingdom! The tricky part of that is, are we as Jesus said, “Seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you”? (Matthew 6:33) OR, are we, like many retirees, desperately seeking FIRST all the fun and cool places to go in the world before time and physical ability runs out on us? If you are retired as a Christian believer now, have you ever wondered why God still has you here? Is it only to have fun, go on trips, and enjoy great food and friends? Is it to golf or fish or play pickle ball or cruise or enjoy great beaches and restaurants all week and all year long? And if you are not retired yet, how does God fit into your present and future plans for what you will seek and desire to do when you do “retire”?

SEEING GOD’S REALITY IN A BROKEN WORLD…

Ellen and I recently returned from a 14 day land-cruise excursion in Alaska. It was amazing and spectacular, and if you get a chance at some point in life, seeing the vastness and beauty of Alaska is well worth it! BUT, it also reminded me of the emptiness, confusion, and lack of hope in people who don’t know Jesus! As we talked to people from all over the world at dinner gatherings, many talked non-stop about the many cruises they had taken, what food to eat in certain places, and complained about short comings of cruise lines and disappointment in places they had visited. One couple had been on 12 cruises the last year, and had more lined up. It seemed like life was about finding great deals on the next great trip.

Other people loved the beauty of Alaska (as did we), but it was for some a form of worship of the mountains, lakes, and animals. One interesting trail guide ended our bus trip with a 20 minute reflection on “Mother Nature” and the mystical power of the Alaskan mountains, rivers, and animals to bring deep meaning and some sense of peace to his life. The sad thing was, he was worshiping a false “Mother Nature” concept, and missing the bigger idea of the God who created all this and can offer him new life and so much more! As Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” Instead, he settled for God’s creation rather than God himself. As Romans 1:25 says, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worship and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised”.

SO, IF WE “RETIRE”, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LIVE, AND WHAT SHOULD OR SHOULDN’T WE DO?

Many retirees have a “Bucket List” of things to accomplish before we die and “kick the bucket”. It’s OK to have fun and go places, but God is more concerned about HOW you live and represent him in this stage of life, and whether you point others to the hope of eternity that he offers to everyone. Our ultimate purpose is to bring others into the Kingdom, and we are all called to be a part of that mission.

SO, I’m not going to tell you directly how to live your life, but I think we can all focus on some biblical perspectives that can help us navigate this time of life.  

Here’s a biblical “Bucket List” that I think every Christian believer should consider…

1) ARE YOU LIVING DAILY IN A WAY THAT REFLECTS JESUS IN YOUR WORDS, ATTITUDES, AND ACTIONS?

We don’t ever “retire” from growing to become more like Jesus! Sometimes older Christians (and younger ones too!) turn into whiners and complainers, always talking about their aches and illnesses and what they can’t do anymore and how life is “over”. Hey folks, the pain is temporary, death has been defeated, and we’re going to live forever! Act like it!

Be thankful, be future-oriented, and focus others on the good things God gives us.

In Philippians 4, Paul gives us wonderful advice:

⁴  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV)

2) ARE YOU LIVING DAILY IN A WAY THAT REFLECTS GOD’S ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR LIFE AND THE FUTURE NEW HEAVEN/EARTH?

If you truly have repented and believed on Jesus to save you and give you eternal life, you WILL live forever with a new physical body on a completely restored and combined New Heaven and Earth! Earth itself will be restored to its’ original sinless existence, and we will be too! As I looked at the vast mountains of Alaska a few weeks ago, I imagined having a new, strong body that will never die or get weak and tired, and I imagined being able to climb and explore those beautiful places. No matter how awful life may be at times here, its’ going to be amazing in the new Kingdom! Tell others that good news by your words and attitude! Paul reminds us of this in Romans 8:

¹⁸  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.- Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)

ARE YOU LIVING DAILY IN A WAY THAT LISTENS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AS HE LEADS YOU TO SHARE THE HOPE YOU HAVE , AND INVITE OTHERS TO REPENT AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, SALVATION, AND ETERNAL LIFE BY TRUSTING IN JESUS?

It’s not enough just to treat people well and help them out with their worldly needs. If we deeply care about our family, friends, and everyone we meet, we will continue to pray for them and ask God to use us wherever he wants to share the hope of the gospel. We want everyone to enter the Kingdom of God and enjoy an amazing eternity with us! We can freely offer our time and service in our families, communities, and churches, always striving to see those we encounter as Jesus sees them.

I pray that each of you, whether you are retired now or will be in the future, will entrust this time of life to God’s leading. He has a plan for each of us and desires to use us for his Kingdom and his glory. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying life and relaxing a little, and taking time to appreciate God’s amazing created world. But that’s not our main mission, and I think we all want to have God use for his Kingdom and finish our faith journey well!

Consider these thoughts:

–  God will help you finish what he began in your life!
⁶  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

– Don’t let temptations and distractions keep you from God’s plan!

¹  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, – Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

– Don’t look back, finish well, and be blessed in your future life as well!

²³  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23 (NIV)