Read: Genesis 12:1–9

Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Genesis 12:4c

The Bible does not support the traditional American ideal of retirement. The vision of a leisurely, carefree retirement at age sixty-five or younger, when you no longer work but spend your time playing golf or bridge or shopping could not be less biblical. One cannot retire from the work of ministry. God’s call on our lives is a lifetime call. Even as we draw toward what we believe to be the end of our days, God might call us to make some great, life-changing journey of faith.

This reality is actually a great blessing. At the very age when too many people begin to feel useless and forgotten, just when the joy of retirement has evolved into aged loneliness, the Spirit of God speaks to us saying, “I am not done with you yet, get up, go—we have work to do!” How joyous it is to realize that God does not discriminate based on age—we are never too old to do important, world-transforming work.

What are your retirement plans?

Lord, there are days when I long to retire from the demands that life places on me. I want a steady enough stream of income to allow me to relax and do what I want with the rest of my life. However, I quickly realize that playing by my own rules and governed by my own timetable, I lack a sense of personal fulfillment, as if I am doing nothing of particular importance. Lord, call me out of retirement, or away from my dreams of retirement, and engage me in Your Kingdom work. In Jesusname, I pray. AMEN.