Retirement is a word that is not going to be deleted from our dictionaries, but what that time period means should be, and is being, redefined. People can retire and do basically nothing, or they can stay active and accomplish much.

Dr. George Burch was an internationally known heart surgeon who taught at Tulane University School of Medicine. He is attributed with the saying: “The quickest way to the end is to retire and do nothing. Every human being must keep an interest in life to keep living.” He remained a full-time faculty member until his death at age 75 in 1986.

The only record of retirement in the Bible is mentioned in Numbers 8:24-26. The Levites were required to retire at the age of 50, but they could continue to serve in less physically demanding roles. They were allowed to assist their brothers in the tent of meeting and fulfill any obligations they had made.

Thomas Haggai — former pastor, motivational speaker, president/CEO and chairman of the board at the International Grocers Association — has had a long and illustrious career and continues to work at age 85. Every morning, he prays, “Lord, don’t let me die until I am dead!” He says, “I feel like you have to remain flexible enough to respond affirmatively to the opportunities that come your way. Every day we must exercise mentally, physically and spiritually in order to be ready for these opportunities.”

Living until we die is a major challenge for many in the retirement years. Some grow weary, and others give up. Tragedy or debilitating health issues sideline others. Yet, even in unfavorable circumstances, we can live triumphantly. When Jesus promised abundant life to us, He did not put an age requirement on it. He did not limit it to circumstances but tied the experience of it to Himself.

A redefined experience of retirement would be refreshing — a time when we continue to remain as active as we can, serving God as faithfully as we can, and growing spiritually as much as we can. When we retire, we can retire “to” something instead of “from” something.

While age can bring with it wisdom, and youth can supply strength and energy, we must have the right focus in order to really live. That focus is Christ: seeking His kingdom and righteousness above everything else, forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward as we take our next step in the journey of life.

Seniors may be in the fourth quarter of life, yet our focus should not be on the three quarters behind us, but on the quarter in which we are living. Mark Twain said, “Old age is a matter of the mind — if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” John Piper stated that reading the works of C.S. Lewis revealed to him that “newness is no virtue, and oldness is no vice. Nothing is inferior for being old, and nothing is valuable for being modern.”

The face of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Harland Sanders, became a millionaire after age 65 and a Christian after age 75. As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”

Better yet, Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Keep plowing. Stay focused. Live until you die.