If I want to make sure that no one under 40 reads past the 5th word from now, I just have to say, “Retirement.” Once it meant rest for the physically weary working man, who probably didn’t have too many years to live anyway. Now it is more likely to be just a date on the calendar like any other. Long gone are the days when 65 meant you could afford to stop working. It is the minority that have enough resources to cease labouring in order to put bread on the table. I have been blessed to witness the disciplined lives of many Christians. These have ceased working for someone else, ‘retired,’ and dedicate their lives to God’s work. Whatever our status in our later years, employed, or self-sufficient, our job is the same: ‘Preach the gospel’ (Mk.16:15). Whether that be from a workbench, office desk, volunteer’s station, classroom or pulpit, it all equals the same thing—we make the most of the opportunities (Col.4:5) that God puts in front of us to speak the name of Jesus. Businesses, organizations, and communities are automatically blessed to have God’s people amongst them. The Holy Spirit is working through your godly words and work. I hear naïve critics say, “Christians are too often known for what they are against.” My answer is, “Yes, that’s true. But replacing what we are against (lying, laziness, foul language, bullying, theft, and all acts of selfishness), with what we are for (a Christlike spirit) transforms the home and workplace into better places to be.” We bring “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal.5:22-23). When you think ‘retirement,’ be ready for your most productive years of work in your life. Because, despite appearances, young people are constantly looking around for mentors with the intensity of a heat-seeking missile. Economic ‘retirement’ will mean different things to each of us. But I dare not we speak the word ‘retirement’ if it in any way means removing myself from the ‘Work of God.” To the work…!
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