“I have not seen the righteous forsaken.” Psalm 37:25 NKJV
“You may struggle with daily life’s realities, but be sure of your faith’s certainty.”
My thoughts today are about “farewells and faith.”
Later today, I will say farewell to a friend. I have known him only a few years, but found him a man who loved and enjoyed life. He dressed impeccably, was always considerate, and seemed confident in who he was and what he was about. He laughed readily and made friends easily – those two attributes seem to go together. More recently age and health restricted what he could do. A few days ago, I called to talk with him but the hospice worker said he was resting. Barely a day later, I learned he had died.
Saying a final farewell to a friend makes one’s plans seem more like mere assumptions. You do not feel a friend’s passing without facing your own mortality. Every lifetime is limited, however brief or long. I find comfort in today’s Bible verse, “I have been young, and now am old; but I have not seen the righteous forsaken . . and his descendants are blessed . . the Lord does not forsake His saints.” Psalm 37:25-28 NKJV. I think that faith affirmation would be my friend’s testimony. This recent year was not an easy one for him; he struggled with daily life’s realities, but stayed sure of his faith’s certainty and God’s faithfulness.
I am not far from my seventieth year and recently stepped aside from the responsibilities as senior pastor of the congregation where we have served a little more than three-fourths of our years of pastoral ministry. This change was not a matter of age, or health, or weariness, or loss of interest; it was simply obedience to God’s will and direction, as I have tried to live my life.
I am often asked about my “plans in retirement.” That’s a bit awkward to answer because though a lot has changed – such as title, position, and familiar schedules and responsibilities – a lot has not changed. The inner calling to ministry I felt as a young teen is the same. My desire to serve God through service to others does not differ. I don’t know the particulars of how or how long I will walk out my calling of ministry, but I know I am committed to being faithful to God and staying invested in others’ spiritual well-being. I do know this: “My times are in (God’s) hands.” Psalm 31:15 NIV. Always have been; always will be! As a boy, I often heard my mother singing, “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know He holds my hand.” She was right; God does.
I have learned that whatever else changes in life and much will, God declares Himself the eternal constant, “I am the Lord; I do not change . . the Father with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning . . the same yesterday and today and forever.” The season ahead for me is not as known to me as the past, but God will guide and guard my appointed days as He has the days already spent. I do not know the measure of my years; only God knows those. With that, I am comfortable. I read this practical advice: “Instead of trying to add years to your life, try adding life to your years . . pour every day and every ounce of energy into it.” Your life or mine will not be measured by length of years, but by the personal quality and eternal impact of those years.
My prayer for you today is that you will fill every day and live every year fully for God.