Contributor:
Terry Whitson
With retirement comes opportunity. It is not an end but a new beginning. Unfortunately, some go home, flop down to watch TV, but many of them don’t live very long. Fortunately, for the believers in Jesus Christ, there is the wonderful work of the Kingdom to be done. We each have a calling, a purpose, and a divine commission to fulfill. We are to be busy until Jesus comes or until we graduate to heaven.
Age is not the factor – Vision is! As cited in the last article, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.“ This scripture clearly indicates our purpose and calling. We are not to focus on our age but on doing good to all men while we have the opportunity.
Jesus told His disciples lift up your heads and LOOK – the fields are white unto harvest. He wanted them to see what was right in front of them. He wanted them to have vision, to fish for men and to make disciples.
Older men should teach and instruct new converts and likewise, older women should instruct new converts as well. Retired believers are in a great position to make disciples!
Serve the Local Church The Lord works through His church, He works through the local body of believers. The pastor and church leaders have their part but each member has their part as well. When each member does their part there is wholeness, fullness, and great blessing for the whole body.
We are called to serve, called to serve one another in love. Are you serving in the local church? There are continual needs that you can help meet, such as cleaning or repairing the church building itself. Others can work in children’s church or in the nursery, be a greeter at the door, an usher, musician, sound technician. There are needs for deacons to serve and care for widows. The list goes on and on, giving greater reason why retired people should step up and step into a place of service in their local church.
Let us look at this 84-year-old woman who served in the temple of God. “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem“ (Luke 2:36-38). Anna served in prayer and fasting night and day. Every believer can be engaged in this type of service.
Called to Greatness Moses was 80 years-old when he led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 when their son, Isaac, was born. Caleb was 85 and full of strength and vigor when he took Mt. Hebron and drove the Anakites off his mountain.
These saints of the Old Testament served God and did great things. We are the New Testament saints and we too are called to greatness. Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant“ (Matthew 23:11). If you desire to be great in the Kingdom of God, you will be a “Servant to all!” It’s not a title or position – it is service to the least.
Is it below you to clean the church bathroom? If it is, then you have need of learning the meaning of greatness. Jesus said of Himself, “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life…”
Now is the time to step into greatness and follow Jesus’ example. Lay down your life, and take your retirement years to serve the body of Christ and those who do not know HIM.
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