I’ve been thinking about retirement. Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking at a banquet for the retirement of Rev. William Metzger as pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cary, Illinois. I teased him. “Now when someone says, ‘I can’t wait to retire,” you can shoot back, ‘Oh, I’m busier than ever. Don’t know when I had time to go to work.’” Or talking about stewardship and returning to the Lord, you can say, ‘I know the church needs money, but I’m on a fixed income.’” Working people think, aren’t we all? Congratulations, Pastor Metzger. Now you can sit in the pew and turn to LaVonne and say, “The organist is playing too loud.”
Years ago Rev. Charles Mueller said he wasn’t retiring but “repositioning.” I like that. As you get older, you see God’s love from new positions. Changing work situations give you new perspectives on the truths that we are creatures, the eternal God is our Creator, and by His Son and Spirit we are loved for an eternity of unending life with Him. So whether you’re still in the daily grind or repositioned to a freer schedule, the focus should always the same, “that I may be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness” (Martin Luther, “Small Catechism”).
That’s why the faithful treasure Psalm 90. “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon cut off, and we fly away. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:
Personally, I’m not thinking of retirement, not quite yet. Whatever our work status, we church people look to Him who loves us and remember His commanding words, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4-5). Congratulations, Pastor and Mrs. Metzger! “In the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
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