Nearing Retirement

 Psalm 92:14

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

Retired? Nearing retirement? How are you serving or plan to serve the Lord in your retirement?

 Retirement presents its own challenges. One retiree commented, “I am in the *initial* stage of my golden years: SS, CD’s, IRA’s, AARP!” That designation has much truth in it.

So, what kind of advice is appropriate for our current and future retirees? G. Campbell Morgan says, “Looking back to the old days is not the way out. Looking UP to the God of ALL the days is.” We need to remember that our God is the SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.

The Psalmist says there is such a stage in life for disciples called “bearing fruit in OLD age.” Apparently, there is no end to the possibilities of fruit bearing. We can bear fruit in our youth, middle-age, and old age. There is no age beyond old age; thus, we must conclude each of us can bear fruit until the day God calls us home.

What is the chief advantage to retirement? Chiefly, more time to do what we want to do. The readers of Today’s Verse obviously want to be involved in ministry. That is why they read these devotionals. Retirement from secular work frees us to do more ministry, not less. The ministry may change due to health or age, but the ministry can still flourish in other, even new areas.

Many retirees expand their ministry into making hospital visits or telephone calls. Deacon Taft Hutchison was in his nineties but was still making hospital visits till the end. An amazing fellow! Some do card ministries. Some start a morning Bible class at church. Bonita Pack hosted fifteen ladies weekly for TWO hours…a splendid time for all.

One fellow maintained an incredible prayer ministry. During my first visit he greeted me with, “I just prayed for you a few minutes ago.” He proceeded to show me his prayer list. I was number 115! He regularly prayed for each name. Those more than 115 people were incredibly blessed!

Some participate in a disaster relief organization. Our property suffered extensive tree damage during an ice storm a few years ago. My driveway was blocked by multiple fallen trees. Our Ohio Disaster Relief team cleared the driveway and shared the gospel with the nearby people. Practically every worker was a retiree. Some were skilled but all were willing.

Some develop ministries that have been on their heart for many years. In my case, the pastoral ministry is evolving into the God’s Greenhouse ministry. Only God knows where it will lead.

Some engage in children’s ministries such as After-School clubs (contact Child Evangelism Fellowship to begin such a club in your neighborhood school). Or do a home Vacation Bible School with neighborhood children.

My wife works one day a week at Two Hearts Pregnancy Center and provides Christian help/counseling for pregnant women (there is an alternative to abortion). Other people devote time to their city mission, Habitat for Humanity, etc. How about a nursing home ministry? Or knocking on doors and sharing the gospel? Updating the church sign to keep the community informed that your church is ALIVE? Devoting time to odd jobs for the church widows? Being a tutor to struggling students at church?

Bottom line: With God’s help, all of us can do more than just exist in our old age. We can also THRIVE in our old age. Which do/will you choose?

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”