Retirement is for the Birds

Life is an Adventure!

Slippery Slope:

The Law of Entropy says that everything left to itself will naturally move in the direction of randomness and decline.  Businesses decline, marriages decline, bodies decline, churches decline.  85% of churches have plateaued or are in decline. Every marriage starts with hope and excitement, thinking that the honeymoon will last forever.  No one ever plans for the marriage to decline and even fall into the slippery slope that leads to divorce.

I met an insurance man that commented on the shocking number of people he personally experienced who retired to a life of drinking beer and watching TV. A year later, he was paying out the life insurance policy to the widow.

One hundred years ago, there was no such thing as retirement. You worked until you couldn't work anymore, then you lived with your family until you died. In Italy, the elderly are actively gardening and working the land, and maintaining a sharp mind. Italians are an example for us and staying engaged.

I'm not saying that the idea of saving up money and retiring from being a slave to the workplace is a bad idea.  I'm saving for retirement, too because I know that I won't always have the same physical and emotional stamina today.

Retirement?

What I am saying is that I will never retire from having a God-given purpose.  I will never retire from saying, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done."  Until I take my last breath, God has a plan and a purpose for me on this planet, and whatever my "hand finds to do, I will do it as unto the Lord."

According to Gallup data, the average retirement age in 2002 was 59, so many are entering into this stage of life and needing a purpose and plan for the next season.

I laugh when I remember my pastor's comment after a year of retirement from leading a church,

"Retirement is for the birds."  William E. Yaeger

Then Bill Yaeger got back involved in ministry, not as a lead pastor, but as wise counsel for a lead pastor.

Last year I coached a retired attorney as he wanted to find his purpose in doing pastoral care. Last month my wife had a horrific traffic accident and that attorney has been the most faithful support we have had in this season of our lives. Who would have known that I would be the recipient of his newfound focus in retirement?

Daniel was 83 years old when he entered the lions' den.  Caleb was in his 80s when he was ready to fight more battles. In his 90s, John was exiled on the island of Patmos because his bold preaching about Jesus was threatening the Roman Government.

We may retire from the workforce, but we never retire from serving God.  We might decline in physical strength, but we don't have to decline in spiritual strength and vitality.  God always has work for us to do, and as long as we have breath, we suit up and report for duty to build the kingdom of God until Jesus returns for his own.

That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it!  Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment...