Retirement

"But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more. They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their obligations." -Numbers 8.25-26

The Levites were called to dedicate their lives to the service of God. They were charged with the care and transport of the tabernacle. But there came a time when they were to retire. Their time of labor was over, but that didn't mean they were to sink into obscurity. Just because they were done working it didn't mean they were done contributing.

This is a topic that needs to be addressed, especially in men. Eldredge talks about it in The Way of the Wild Heart when he examines the Sage. During this stage a man's circle of power and authority shrinks, but his influence can grow and be the largest and most effective. Too many men decide to run off to Florida, or Arizona, and spend their remaining years fishing or golfing. They take a life of experience, and simply keep it to themselves in favor of the rest they have earned.

God says that the Levites were done doing the work of the tabernacle at age fifty, but they were able to assist the younger men who still worked. They were able to help those who took their place. This is the attitude we need to have in our lives. When our days of work come to an end, let us focus our time and energy into pouring into the next generations. Instead of running off to a warmer climate, lets us begin to mentor younger men. Just because we can't do the work of a young man doesn't mean we can invest in one.

Men, how often do you think about retirement? What are your plans? I don't want to spend my remaining years simply wasting away being of no use to anyone. Yes, I am looking forward to not having to go to a job every day. I'm looking forward to having a lot of time to garden, target and clay shoot, make walking sticks, and spend with my family. But I hope I'm able to take a well lived life, full of wisdom and experience, and invest it into young men.

I've been blessed to witness two good examples of men like this. I've shared before about the wise "old" Sage who is guiding and mentoring me. The second I haven't mentioned before. I met him a few years ago, he was the Superintendent of the local school district. One day we were having coffee and we began to talk about what was next for him. He told me his concept of retirement. "You drive your car into the shop, and it gets 're-tired'. Then you drive out again." His plan was simply a change in what he was doing. He had no intention of being finished, simply of scaling back. Taking time to rest and enjoy time that he no doubt had earned, but still being involved.

Let this be our mindset. Yes, the time will come to rest, you have earned that after years of work. But as long as we still have breath in our lungs we still have something to contribute. Let us determine to take all the years we are given and make the most of them. May we never allow ourselves to sink into obscurity.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor