Your calling doesn't expire when you retire
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Heads up: the subject of this post might make you uncomfortable, But it will be worth it, I promise! In fact, I believe that the future of the Church depends on what we are talking about here: the fact that you have a God-given calling, and that calling doesn't retire.
Over the last seven decades, an enormous new industry has developed to meet the pleasure needs of the over 100 million retired folks in America. We have whole towns dedicated to retirees. We have a camping industry that thrives on selling motor homes to retirees and building campgrounds for retirees to park their motor homes and hang out with other retirees. There are tennis and golf clubs, condos on the beach, endless cruises ... all targeted at retired Americans. But why? What is the purpose of it all?
Pleasure. We have come to equate retirement with pleasure.
King Solomon had the dream retirement budget—more than Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Warren Buffet. He had power, money, notoriety, and his life centered on maximizing pleasure. In fact, he wrote a whole book about his pursuit of it (Ecclesiastes.) And in chapter 2, verse 1, he wrote,
"I said to myself, "Come on, let's try pleasure. Let's look for the 'good things' in life." But I found that this, too, was meaningless."
Have you ever wondered if the "American Dream" version of retirement (retirement = pleasure) is healthy? Is it what is best for the Body of Christ? I can't help but think that if God intended us to work for 40 years and then rest and relax for 30 or 40 years, He would have said so in Scripture. Instead, what He said is that we need to learn to be content. He said that we need to weekly find peace, relax, and get refreshed in preparation for what is next … and there is a next if you are still alive. Moses didn't start fulfilling his calling until he was 80 years old!
What this country needs, and what the Body of Christ needs, is a generation of Christ-following retirees who are itching to use the gifts God has given them to fulfill God's purpose for them. Retirees are in the perfect position to shape and influence the lives of those coming up in the ranks of the next generations.
So, if you are a retiree, consider ways that you can engage with young people and families. Join a small group with diverse ages, go back to work with the mindset of being a "Mom" or "Dad" to the young people you work alongside, look for ways to influence your kids/grandkids/great grandkids. Pray for the next generations. Text them. Call them. Feed into them. Show them that your wisdom and experience are valuable and tell them your story.
To find more inspiration about living out your calling into retirement, listen to The Awaken Podcast Network, and select #2 – iRetire4Him OR tune in to the iRetire4Him weekly podcast.
Remember, your calling didn't die the day you retire. It just gets a new lease on life!
 | Jim Brangenberg is an established leader in the faith and work movement who has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner. In 2013, God called him and his wife, Martha, to begin the iWork4Him Talk Show, where they have had the privilege of challenging thousands across the globe with the simple message that your workplace is your mission field. In addition, he and Martha have co-authored a series of collaborative books, iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, and iRetire4Him. Learn More » |
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