Rethinking Retirement

I remember it well. I was coming up on 62 years old and still employed in my second career as a high school Art/Graphic Designer/Commercial Art/AP teacher.

I was tired. I’d been working since I was nine years old. After college I worked at first as a commercial artist and then as a school teacher.

After almost 11 years as a teacher I was worn out, tired of teaching and ready to throw in the towel and retire.

I liked my job, but the daily grind of making up lesson plans, tests, instructions and trying to keep up with technology had taken their toll on me.

I talked to my wife and we decided I would retire at the end of the school year when I turned 63. And that’s exactly what I did.

It was a relief and for about the first year I rested-or tried to. Unfortunately my body was still wired to get up at 5 AM. and my mind was still in teacher mode.

It took me almost three years to finally wind down. I kept busy-drawing, writing, working around the house and trying to keep up with my wife’s ‘honey do’ list.

But, something was missing. I felt as if I was going nowhere and I wondered why.

Then it struck me, I may have retired, but God was not through with me yet. I resisted at first-I still do occasionally. But eventually I got more invested in my church, helped around the campus and did what I could. I still have a way to go.

In author John Piper’s and Crossway’s new book: Rethinking Retirement, the author examines the myth of retirement as it pertains to the Christian life.

While it is normal to slow down as we grow older, it’s unwise to just stop and do nothing.

God still has plans for the elderly and retired. Learn how to finish your life for the glory of God. Several excellent examples are given along with some sage advice. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

Retirement does not mean the end. It means the beginning of a whole new way to serve God. God has a dream for your retirement life-take up the challenge and learn that retirement does not mean you stop serving God-it is only the next step.

Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.