Pastor’s Podium

It’s amazing how often God chose men and women in their senior adult years to take part in huge moments for His kingdom. Think about Noah who finished building the ark at 600 years old. Then, there was Abraham who in faith left his home at age 75 to move to a new and unknown land only God knew. Abraham trusted God to lead the way. Can you imagine what his neighbors must have thought?

Then there was Sarah well past her prime to have a child ... but God made a promise and even though she laughed, God kept that promise and hence a nation was born through Abraham and Isaac. If the neighbors thought it odd for Abraham to follow God into a new land, what must they have been thinking when Sarah became pregnant in her old age.

Even Moses was 80 years old when he stood up to the most powerful man in the world and led a nation to freedom. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, was of the older set when God found favor with her to bear the forerunner to Christ. Example after example in Scripture of God using older men and women to take part in the greatest adventures of their lifetimes.

In today’s culture, most people look forward to retirement. It’s a chance to slow down, to step back and to relax. But in reality, God’s Word doesn’t speak of retirement for anyone but the Levites. For everyone else, it’s just not there.

Now, we all know that as we age our energy level changes. Stepping back from certain vocational pressures and responsibilities can be necessary. But the fantasy of retiring to do nothing more than reading books or playing with the grandkids and don’t forget worrying about investment portfolios can lead to a pretty boring and meaningless life. While we may slow down for physical reasons, we can still make a significant contribution to the kingdom of God — if we are willing.

When I was going to seminary in Oklahoma, a 90-year-old woman who had always worked in her church asked me,“I am old, I can’t do much around the church anymore ... but I want to serve the Lord the best that I can while I am still able to do it. Do you have something for this old woman to do?”

My response was “Do you have a phone? Maybe you could reach out to some of our church members who are confined in their homes checking in to see if they are ok.” That simple question “Do you have something for this old woman to do?” started a ministry that lasted well beyond my days in Oklahoma. They tell me she made her last phone call the morning that she left for her heavenly home, she was 101 years old.

Are you entering your retirement years? Ask God How He wants to use you in this season. It’s time to redefine retirement — let’s call it redirection. Because just like Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Elizabeth and countless others — this next season just might hold your greatest adventure yet.