Retirement??

by Lynn Peebles

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

I'm pretty sure the Levites were the only ones that got to "retire" throughout the Bible. Even then, they still had some tasks to carry out. What is this retirement thing, anyway? According to Paul, above, my REAL job is, "testifying to the gospel of the grace of God."

So, just because my career as an educator has ended, it doesn't mean I'm done. So many people, followers of Christ or not, have a really tough time with retirement. They begin to feel useless, believing their contribution to society is over.

Many people just turn over and give up, become despondent, and eventually allow self-pity and anger to rule their lives. Or they become totally self-indulgent.

Thank God that He has a different path for His children!

Now, I have no doubt that God ordained the 30+ years I spent in public schools. It was His vehicle, during that time, for me to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. That is now over. That's the way things work in our culture. Although, the reason for my existence has not changed; "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

During the past decade I have had the opportunity to see many retire from their careers and then find ways to ramp up the time and resources they spend testifying to the gospel of the grace of God. People like Dean Boring, Doug Deese, Bill Reuss, Dale Welch, Nick Rogers, Rich McEachen, Bill Culmer, and Dave Sottana to name just a few.

These men, many along with their wives, now have the time to be involved in things like prison/jail ministries, AWANA, men's ministry leadership, international disaster relief, international micro-economic development, short term missions to Africa and Asia, spending time at the Mission in Redding, etc., etc. These and others have been great role models for all of us to persevere and continue the race. The list could go on.

As Carol and I ponder this transition God is working on us. As many of you know, we have always had a heart for marriages. We are planning on spending more time with Marriage Mentors developing and training mentors and beginning new ministries in other geographical regions.

Carol and I have also contemplated taking marriage enrichment and mentoring to missionaries in the field. At a missions conference last April in Oregon it was pointed out to us how important caring for our missionaries is. Be praying with us in this.

In another setting, last week I taught my first lesson to K-5th graders at Released Time in the Meadow Lane School cafeteria. What a blessing that was!

None of this counts as added value to me, as God's greatest gift has already been bestowed upon me. It is a privilege to be in the race. I thank God for His good grace and appreciate those that have gone before for their encouragement to keep running.

I pray that at the finish line I can say with Paul, " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7