Is Retirement Changing?
DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 2023
Is Retirement Changing?
“They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, …”
Psalm 92:14
I grew up on a farm in Northern Ontario. My father lived between two mindsets; one, that farmers never retire; two, working at a local steel mill (because he could not make it in his first love, farming) he would do what was needed and then retire so he could continue his passion. And that is what he did after 25 years.
I believe that we are products of our fathers, which can be both positive and negative. My father resisted the local company thinking of work hard and when you reach 25-30 years with us, you can then retire and really begin to enjoy life.
He was ahead of his time for he said to me, “Bruce, retirement is changing, and you may never retire in the sense that we know it today!”
On August 31st, after 9 years on the pastoral staff at Peace Portal Alliance Church, I sensed God saying, you have done what I asked you to do. The word for this is “retirement.” I have been deeply honoured by the words and notes of thanks and congratulations. Again, I say thanks. I have received so much more than I have ever given.
James Houston states that, “Retirement is not in the language of the Christian.”
Now, energy does decline as we age, and we need to periodically assess our capacity and sustainability. Yes, vocation will change, however, calling will not.
Many are asking me, what is next and how are you processing all this? I can say, this transition is not a “cake walk.” I love PPAC and being a pastor is a calling on my life. So, what am I experiencing?
My mind plays games and I find myself going to what if’s. What if I had stayed? What if finances will not be enough? What if, my purpose is finished? Etc . . .
Colleagues are telling me not to accept any new opportunities for 90 days. That is 3 months! Whew!
I have not realized how tired I was. Don’t like to admit it, yet. I have been running this marathon for over 50 years.
Denise and I are working out what this means for us, as I am now more on her turf! I do say, that unlike one friend who retired, I am not reorganizing her kitchen!
Paralleling this, I am processing 5 perspectives.
Transition experienced through retirement is a useful shock. I have always said, doing the same thing and hoping for new results is the definition of insanity. My system has certainly been shocked.
This needs to be a time of spiritual growth and I am being deliberate in who I will consistently process this with. Some would call a Counsellor like this a Spiritual Director.
I am critically re-evaluating my vocation, not my calling. How do I want to live out these next years? Recently, I took a blank sheet of paper and wrote down six points on what I want this new day to be about.
I am thinking about what has been prayed over me for calling. I want to be the best “sage” I can be, as I invest in others.
I do not want to get caught in “Destination Mentality.” An author I am reading used this term to define when all hopes, dreams, who I am, my well-being is based on today. The counter to this, is to understand that I am on a journey and I have not arrived. I am still a pastor, a Man of Issachar who invests in leaders, and Jesus’ grace is sufficient for me.
I used this analogy to a colleague:
I have entered a room, which I have never been in before. Oh, I have seen the door in the distance and had a perspective of what the room held and was like. Yet, four weeks ago, I opened the door and walked in. I am finding some surprises. I have looked back through the door at what I left behind and sighed.
Yet, this room is not my destination! I am simply crossing the floor to the other side. Jesus will not rush me. I will not fall though into the basement. And more importantly, I will not get stuck and be in the room forever.
I may just meet some of you in this room. When I do, please tell me not to look back, rather keep moving. I will do the same for you.
~ Bruce