Thousands of people are retiring every day, leaving the workplace, ending a daily commute to the office and looking forward to time and space to pursue personal goals more avidly, or, for some people, no goal at all.
I’m not even close to “retirement age,” and expect I never will be, so can’t speak from the experience of being in it. But I can speak from what I see others experience in retirement. And the one lesson I would put above all else, is, “Don’t stop growing spiritually!”
The lull of retirement is a temptation to take it easy, and not work so hard at one’s endeavors, to slow down, to idle more, snooze more frequently, find a comfortable place in a material world and ease on into it for years to come.
There certainly is benefit to stopping an outgrown activity to take up a more productive activity, but it’s critical that the more productive activity is engaged! And continued spiritual growth needs to top the list!
In truth, there is no such thing as retirement. Life goes on, and keeps unfolding more and more of God’s blessings for our benefit.
Life is our opportunity to receive God’s blessings, experience their benefit and share them openly with others. This activity should take an increasing outward expression in our daily life over the years. There is no slowing down, idle moments, or wasted time, in actively expressing spiritual life and truth. The momentum and proof should grow and multiply!
The collective mortal consciousness would argue for decreasing expressions of life activity with increasing years. To not be victimized by this false sense of life, one must daily defend his thinking from being influenced by it. Life is to be lived! Not slept away.
So, if you’re thinking about retirement, be sure to put retirement into its proper perspective. Retire from unproductive material thinking and stay fully employed in actively cultivating your spiritual understanding of God, and increasing your daily demonstrations of truth. This will leave you in a very good place.
It takes vigilant prayer, study and active daily demonstration to keep ahead of trouble and prevent the ills often associated with advancing years. But the effort is worth it. It keeps you healthy and strong, vital and alert, and profitably engaged. And that sounds like an enjoyable goal to pursue.
Really good information, even if you can’t perform physically. good to know you are alive in Spirit.
Excellent thoughts, Evan! I’ve found “retirement” – which has basically meant relocating to a different part of the country and finding new activities – challenging sometimes but beneficial always. One of the greatest benefits in leaving my former employment behind is increased time for reading and study, opportunities to volunteer in the community, opportunities to help church members that a previous work schedule just didn’t allow for. Even a new job wherein I utilize skills developed in my last employment has landed at my feet! Blessings, blessings in this continuing time of life.
To me RETIREMENT doesn’t mean to find happiness in materiality but having the time to put forth what one knows of God. To actually demonstrate goodness & kindness to others even if I am not demonstrating complete freedom from disease or physical illness, which at this moment I’m not. But the smiles I get from being kind & joyful to others, I am. This is more important to me and the other will come. WHEN, NO MAN NOETH.
Retirement has brought me new interests. I love having more time to read. I love singing with a group of Senior Citizens. we go out into our community and perform at retirement homes and other facilities. I am also politically active with a woman’s group. I try to remain active and hope to express as many God-like qualities as possible. Seldom ever take a nap!
Strong words, Evan, and definitely needed. I rejoice daily that I do not need to rush out of the house and drive in whatever weather first thing in the morning. With this newfound flexibility of schedule comes the responsibility to make every moment count and not drift. Thank you for your wise words on this topic. Refusing beliefs of aging and losing strength requires constant vigilance. This is most striking to me when I spend time at the nursing home where my mother lives, in her 102nd year, but the assumption is all around. It is striking to be in the presence of groups of Christian Scientists where no one is complaining of aches and pains and “elderly” looks beautiful!
In an expanded sense retirement means only not doing what you were previously doing. My husband has “retired” from three jobs. I have “retired” from several. That does not mean we are doing nothing. A friend of mine says she and her husband have turned in rockers on the front porch for twin swings in the front yard!. Think of that as a metaphor and see where it takes you. It takes me soaring upward and outward in many, many ways.
Also bear in Mind, time spent sitting quietly, pondering, thinking, reaching up and out spiritually is not doing nothing, is not being inactive or unemployed, no matter how it may appear to others.
As Evan so wisely says, “Retire from unproductive material thinking and stay fully employed in actively cultivating your spiritual understanding of God, and increasing your daily demonstrations of truth. This will leave you in a very good place.”
Thanks Evan, you are so correct. There is a helpful saying that applies here and it is this, “people don’t “grow” old, they “become” old by not growing.”
Retire means getting new tires.
Thanks much Evan and to all.
I “retired” from 3 jobs to one part time job , now that my children are not dependant on me financially. However I always looked forward to retirement…so that I would have time to delve deeper spiritually and be available to help others more. SO since “retiring I have had the fabulous experience of doing “CS class” which has changed my whole perspective on life for the better! I am continuing to learn more about God and to be more active in church and put into practise my renewed focus. So I have retired to work at something more uplifting and am flat out !
I liked the “getting new tires” comment!
I’ve retired from serving for pay, but not from serving God. But whether I’m actually serving God or not is God’s perspective. I pray my heart stays right in His eyes.
“…retired from serving for pay, but not from serving God…” That’s great! Thanks so much.