Psalm 71: 8-9

“My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”

Someone humorously wrote, “The company gave me an aptitude test and I found out the best work I was best suited for was retirement.” Well, to bring you up to speed, last month I initially entered into full-retirement, as of June 30th. After my decision, I was joyfully asked to consider a move into semi-retirement, two days a week, for this upcoming school year. I agreed and the incredible timing of my decision is that my beautiful wife of nearly 45 years, has also now fully retired. It’s been a long time coming for us both. The thought of retirement, even semi-retirement, means having the freedom to be spontaneous and to do for others because I have the time…maybe even more time if I can get there on my Harley, but that dream hasn’t quite come to fruition just yet! This semi-retirement is almost surreal. I find myself “dancing to a new beat,” one that I have patiently waited to experience. I have been spending more time with my Lord in ways I never had time to do before. It’s unprecedented, calming, peaceful, and I love this change of life. I don’t believe for one second it’s going to become routine and boring. I wake up refreshed and I hit the sack stress-free…always with a smile! I still love to rise with the sun…that is, if I haven’t stayed up past midnight the night before.

This season is full of first time experiences. I’m not fearing what I’m going to do next; rather, it’s a time of advancing the kingdom of God (and lots of family visiting and traveling the country in the upcoming months). There is a new life ahead, full of new experiences and my “semi”-retirement has already provided a blissful feeling in my soul. Today I must say, it can’t get any better! Of course, I am reminded that our life is “like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). James writes, “…you ought to say, if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that”’ (James 4:15). A clear understanding of these verses brings a much needed balance to one’s life. God has the final say, but more importantly, what does this mean for me as I venture out into this unknown, pristine territory?

To answer this question, there’s a beautiful passage of scripture that always intrigued me back in my early Bible college days. David writes, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone (v.8-9).” When you’re young it’s difficult to ponder those days in the distant future when more years have been added to your life, but the significance of such powerful words has always played upon my spirit. David in his old and grey-haired years sets forth a few guiding thoughts for you and I to consider.

You see, David now reflects over his life as he is determined to give the Lord more and more praise and desires to make known God’s miraculous deeds…he is closer to Heaven’s door. For believers who have lived longer glorifying Christ, it is our responsibility to give testimony to the succeeding generations (Psalm 71:18) so they too may come to know His strength and power as David grew to know his God. Life seems to get more precious as the years go by. Over the course of David’s journey he could testify to God’s faithfulness through the deep valleys because he knew God never left his side. David was no stranger to the darkness of sin and the ripple effect it had on the lives of others (Psalm 51:10-12), but David experienced the forgiveness found in a penitent heart (Psalm 51:7-8). He also knew what it meant to be hounded and chased for his life (1 Samuel 21-24) and equally what royalty felt like as a king (2 Samuel 5:9-12). David’s journey and circumstances brought him to a place where all he wanted to do was praise God more and more and tell the next generation about the God he knew so well.

Like David, we too, should deeply desire to want to “show the strength of God unto this generation, and His power to everyone that is to come” (Psalm 71:18), for it is His strength and power, not ours. All the stupid mistakes and the frailties of this body have made me realize several truths I have tightly hung onto throughout my life:

1) God’s cleansing forgiveness

2) God’s grace and power that never end

3) God’s abiding presence even when I’m thinking I have been abandoned, and

4) God’s many miracles performed in my life and the mouth I have been given to testify to those miracles.

To know this loving Jesus and his salvation and to be known by God should be our highest desire and aim in life regardless of our age. I echo David’s question, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7). For me, retirement will not be a boring event…I am choosing to put Christ in the driver’s seat and I am ready to dance to a new beat! Get yourself ready…it’s just around the corner!