March 10, 2014 “Retirement: Your Second Wind…” I recently attended the retirement celebration party for a very dear friend who was leaving after almost thirty years of nursing. I had an opportunity to give words of congratulations and encouragement. I told those who were gathered in a very posh restaurant setting, that retirement is really a twentieth century construct. At the turn of the century, most people never actually entertained the idea of retiring, in the sense of quitting their life’s work and doing nothing. They understood that life is to be lived with purpose from the “womb to the tomb.” God designed the body for movement, activity, and for doing things! I heard a man in his 80’s say, “Don’t order my rocking chair because I will always be working for the Lord… He is my paymaster… I’ll serve Him with the time I have left in this life!” That was the attitude of many of those who migrated from agricultural setting of the rural south to the industrial environment of the cities in the north. They did not think of working as something negative, burdensome, and to abandon at a prescribed age, but as something that added meaning and quality to their lives. They adjusted their thinking from doing one thing to doing something new. We think of the word ‘retire’ as a time to relax, recede, and recline, but I told the “retiree” to think of retirement as a time to redefine, refocus, retool, and return. Redefine or reinterpret ones purpose by revisioning the meaning and scope of life in different terms. God has something new for you to do! Refocus ones vision of how to usefully fit into the world. This is a time to adjust or redirect ones concentration, efforts, and activities toward others. Instead of thinking in terms of leisure, think in terms of legacy. Retool means to intentionally sharpen, update, and replace ones skill set and shift from production to reproduction. Use the accumulation of experience and knowledge to “recreate someone in your image.” Retirement is the perfect time to mentor others and pour into their lives. Return or “give back” to others from the blessed and rich life God has given you. Give of your time, talent, and treasure. Dedicate your retirement to God. Retirement is the end of something, but also the beginning of something new! So, don’t order that rocking chair just yet. So, breathe deeply… you are still running in the “marathon of life,” it’s just time to get your second wind. Michael Gordon
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:37:28 +0000
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