Psalm 92- Thoughts on Retirement (Day 1)

Ps 92:12 The godly grow like a palm tree;

they grow high like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Planted in the Lordʼs house,

they grow in the courts of our God.

14 They bear fruit even when they are old;

they are filled with vitality and have many leaves.

15 So they proclaim that the Lord, my protector,

is just and never unfair.

NET Bible

I retired today, after 40 years, give or take, working in the paper mills... That sounds like a Biblical trial. But what are we to make of retirement? It's the American way, but what does the Bible have to say about retirement and old age? Consider Moses. He spent 40 years herding sheep in Midian until he "retired" and was called to be the deliver of Israel, and was the leader of the people for another 40 years. Or Joshua who spent 40 years following Moses around, until he "retired" from being an assistant and became the leader that led Israel into battle to take the promised land. So what to make of my 40 year journey and this transition?

In Psalm 92, the psalmist likens a godly old man to a tree. Given enough years, a palm tree can grow strong and lush in the desert, and a cedar can grow into a mighty and magnificent tree. Planted in the courts of the Lord, they grow true and strong. The promise here is that such a one will bear fruit and be filled with vitality even after growing old. I once had an older pastor friend who would often say "I'm not retired, I'm re-fired!”, and "the best is yet to come". Of course, I was young then and didn't pay enough attention to what he was saying. So now that I'm at that point, what is my story?

My sincere hope is that I will be one that bears fruit and has vitality in this season, and that I too will be able to proclaim that the Lord, my protector, is just and righteous. My life's calling has always been threefold: minister, musician and scientist, so I don't think that my purpose will be different, just a different balance. These last 40 years I've spent most of my time in the scientific arena dealing with computers, but in this next period, I will be able to focus more on ministry and music. If I'm able to abide in the courts of our God, like that palm, perhaps I'll see some of that abundant fruit.