iWork4Him PowerThought

As we contemplate retirement, the horizon before us is full of immense opportunity. There are so many needs to fulfill and so many things to do; the adventure is exciting. But how do we find out what we're supposed to do in retirement? Well, we need to see where God is working and go and join Him there. There is a dire need for foster grandparents. There's a dire need to be an adoptive grandparent to those families who don't have grandparents around. There's a dire need for mentorship and discipleship for the next generations, using your life experiences and Jesus experiences so that they can learn from you. You are not dead; therefore, you are not done. You are not washed up because you're 65. In fact you are loaded and ready for making an impact without the constraints of working nine to five. Let's get going.

Does your calling retire when you do? Is our calling just for our years from 20 to 65? Does God have a call on all of our lives or just those predetermined working years? It is so important to recognize that the American government created the age 65 milestone. When we were born, we were born with a call on our lives. We were given a unique set of gifts, talents, and abilities that are ours for a lifetime to serve under the direction of our Lord. I understand you may want something different to do after age 65, but just understand this: whatever you do will utilize those gifts, talents, and abilities along with the wisdom and knowledge you've gained. Your calling does not retire when you do.

It's important to recognize that very few of us think about what God wants us to do during our retirement years. We focus our thoughts on our adventures, the vacations we plan, and how many times we can play golf, tennis, or pickleball. But what does God want us to do? When we retire, our callings do not. How do we know what God wants us to do? We ask Him. This is no small task either, as retirement can be 30 years of our lives. We must spend significant time seeking the Lord for what those retirement years look like. I can give you a clue. Your lifelong experiences, wisdom, and knowledge will be used in whatever God calls you to do during your retirement years. God has a purpose for your retirement years and it involves flourishing, fulfillment, and excitement.

Let's face the reality: every one of us spends a little time dreaming about our retirement. In fact, many of us spend time saving money for retirement, but to be honest with you, almost none of us plan on how we will spend our time in retirement other than going on vacation. God has way bigger plans for you than to just be on vacation during retirement. He wants you to flourish just like you did while you were working. He wants you to live with purpose and fulfillment as you live in your community. He wants you to pour your life into those in the upcoming generations. He wants you to plan for what you're retiring to. Spend some time today asking the Lord what it is He wants you to do in the final phase of your life.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor spends time with his sheep, reassuring them with his voice and lending them a sympathetic ear while carrying them when they are weak, sick, in danger, or hurt. What's great about being a shepherd is that shepherds get to be good listeners. They may be talking to the sheep, but most sheep know they can just hang out with the shepherd without getting a lecture. That's a super great way for us to minister to the sheep that we've been entrusted with. Sit down and listen to people. Having your assigned sheep know you can be a listening ear without judgment is such a great gift. Practice being a shepherd today in the lives of those you work with by listening, and see how your relationship grows in trust and love.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor helps his sheep out of difficult situations. We don't have to wait for our sheep to get into dangerous situations; we can guide them away from danger. Sometimes, it's too late, and our co-workers are already in trouble. Sometimes, the people we work with don't know they're flirting with disaster, but you sure can tell. Maybe it's flirtatious behavior at work or going to the bar after work. Perhaps they just don't know that the behavior they are deep in could end in disaster. By gently guiding them away or distracting them to something healthier, you are a pastor to them. Shepherd people away from danger before they get there and be there without judgment if they get into trouble before you can stop them. A pastor/shepherd is always willing to put others first and to speak up when he sees a sheep in danger.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor protects his sheep from the enemy's attacks. What does this look like in your workplace? The enemy attacks everybody a little differently. Some he attacks with anger and bitterness. Some he attacks with making stupid decisions. Some he attacks with addictions. You can walk alongside those you work with and show them they are heading into enemy territory. That they're in danger And that you know a solution. You may even get a call on a Friday night from a co-worker who has gotten in over their head, and needs a ride home. That call only comes if a relationship exists. That relationship allows you to be a pastor to them, and a pastor protects his sheep. When you see your sheep in trouble, show them the way to safety.

A pastor is a shepherd, and as a shepherd, a pastor guides his sheep to green pastures. What does that look like in your workplace? Often, we have conversations with those we work with and they are not hanging out in Green pastures. They're hanging out in mud pits or sewer pits or drainage ditches. Many of them don't know anything different. They grew up in a drainage ditch, a mud puddle, or a sewer pit. That's what their life has always looked like. We serve a living savior who wants each one of us to live life to its fullest; as a pastor in your workplace, lead people to the green pastures, where they can eat spiritual food that will replenish, restore, and renew them. Just because someone grew up in a pretty broken place, doesn't mean our Father can't renew them. Embrace your role as Pastor and lead people to green pastures at work.

This week, we're going to focus on the role of Pastor in the marketplace. I believe that many of you have been given the gift of being a pastor/Shepherd, and that role is critical in your workplace. Pastors are guides, leaders, protectors, intercessors, and teachers. So often, we're unaware of the gifting that we've been given. For those of you who naturally Shepherd people, loving people right where they're at, your calling is so important to reaching the lost at work. You may be a CEO, a Supervisor, a Manager, or a team lead, but you know who you are, and you know that you have been given a gift to shepherd and love people. This is an incredible gift. Celebrate the fact that you are a shepherd and look for ways to use this gift to show others the savior.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. How do you love the Lord your God with all your strength if you spend too much time on the internet looking and experiencing things that sap your strength? That fills you with filth, that plagues you with guilt and shame. Living in this world makes it impossible to Love God to the fullest. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy; Jesus came to bring life so we can live it to the fullest. Does your internet surfing lead to life or death? Stop Ignoring the dangers of the internet at work and home and put some digital armor in place like a safe internet VPN with Web filters and anti-virus and protect your strength.