When you visualize “retirement,” what do you see? In the Wall Street Journal, columnist Jonathan Clements recently wrote that “most people’s vision of retirement can be summed up in two words: Blissful sloth.” That is, while we are working a daily job, most of us see retirement as a joyful excursion into that restful life we always wanted, punctuated by a daily dose of our favorite hobby.
Bob WeathersBut that’s kind of selfish. And boring. Clements quotes psychologist Eric Sundstrom, whose research reveals that most retirees are bored within six months – if their retirement years are viewed as just an extended vacation. Sundstrom founded a Web site called “My Next Phase” that helps people anticipating retirement to develop a plan and a purpose, to have an idea what to do in retirement that is productive and contributes to the planet.
None of this should surprise us. We were designed to participate, to contribute, to partner with God in the maintenance of his creation (Genesis 2:15). If we are not doing what God wired us to do, at any stage of life, then we become stagnant and feel bored.
But if the Bible teaches such a basic truth, then why are believers not on the cutting edge of teaching the role that “retirement” should play in our lives? Maybe it’s because we have bought into what the world says the last phase of life should look like. But the conventional perception of this thing called “retirement” may very well be contrary to scripture. We fail to grasp who God designed us to be if we assume that we can live without a plan or a purpose and still be content.
The bottom line? Retirement is a transition, and as we anticipate the latter years of life, assuming good health, we should plan a way to contribute to God’s creation and to the lives of others. How? Perhaps by influencing the next generation. Or by giving time for your church’s mission trips or evangelism program.
Whatever it is, “make the most of your time” (Ephesians 5:16). And seize every opportunity to impact others for Christ (Colossians 4:5). And above all, sustain active and vibrant fellowship with your heavenly Father (Micah 6:8). Then one day you will, indeed, retire to your heavenly home.