The first thing to understand about God's Retirement Plan is that there is no retirement in the Kingdom of God. In my message Sunday, which you can download or listen to here, I noted that a retirement spent in self-absorption leads to sadness and depression, but that a service-focused retirement leads to fulfillment and happiness. God never meant for humans, who are created in his image, to sit down and quit. The problem with those of us who are still in the workforce, is that many of us are working just to bide our time until we can retire and start doing what we want to do when we want to do it. We are under the delusion that a life lived for pleasure is a pleasant life. It's not.
Abraham is a great example for us. God shows up in his life after he has lived a long and successful career as a rancher, accumulating a large estate, and getting ready to kick back and enjoy his "retirement." God shows up in Abraham's 76th year and calls Abraham to join him in his mission of blessing the world. Abraham doesn't hesitate. He doesn't complain that God's plan wasn't his plan, though it wasn't. He doesn't claim his right to relax and do nothing, which no one really has if they're going to follow God. Abraham says a resounding "Yes" to God's call. God makes some wonderful promises that aren't fulfilled for many, many years, yet Abraham continues to follow, continues to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and God continues to bless Abraham.
So many of the seasoned citizens of Christ Church are like Abraham. They have spent long years and decades working, raising families, volunteering their gifts and strengths in ministry, and today they continue to serve. Every week, folks from our church are giving their lives away both through the ministries of Christ Church and through other connectional ministries and parachurch organizations. They gather for lunch on Tuesdays to continue their fellowship and deepen their sense of connectedness. Many of our younger families could learn from their example.
As I was sharing the message to the 8:30 a.m. service, which is populated mostly by older adults, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to try to think of ways to help the generations of Christ Church intermingle more often and on a deeper, more meaningful level. We need to reach different groups of people and that need drives much of what we do and how we do it, as it should. As someone has said, "If you aren't aiming at anything, you'll hit nothing." But, might we aim, also, at helping people learn from intergenerational sharing?
The problem with a whole generation of people bowing out of the common life of the community is not only in their choices, but in the choices of younger generations. Do we value the wisdom available to us through folks who have been around longer? Do we seek out help from people who have been there, done that? Or do we believe they have nothing to offer because their world is so different from ours?
Well, I'm glad there are Abrahams still out there serving. I'm glad there are people who still hear the call of God and respond. I want to expose myself to as much wisdom as possible. I want to help the people of Christ Church join me. There's no retirement in the Kingdom, so we need to make sure we're making room for everyone to serve, and love, and be loved.
Hi Chis. You nailed it on the head regarding the wisdom of our seasoned citizens. I am proud to be a member of their Wesley Class and to get a dose of that wisdom on a weekly basis. I have also enjoyed the outings I have attended with them. Our trip to the Bread of Life in Liberty and Boyd's Orchard was great Chistian fellowship. I have felt a special calling this year to become closer to the wisest group of God's children at Christ Church. I have been blessed in a very special way by following our Lord's direction to fellowship with them.
Posted by: Tim Hamilton | September 30, 2008 at 09:28 PM