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PLEASE DON’T RETIRE

We’ve got a dangerous practice in America called "retirement." It’s a blessing in some ways, but it’s also dangerous because it implies that your productivity stops when you get to be 62 or 65. It’s dangerous in the church because people look forward to retiring so they can get out of all responsibility and relax and travel. While you may want to refocus your interests and redirect your involvement in the church, don’t quit. Don’t drop out of all responsibility. Don’t turn it all over to the younger generation. We need the vitality of youth, but we also need the example and the wisdom of those who are older. If you came to Southeast Christian Church during the week, you’d be inspired by many retired people who perform invaluable service to this church. Every Monday morning, one of our older Sunday-school classes, the Friendship Class, comes in and cleans the sanctuary. Some pretty sophisticated people are picking up gum wrappers, straightening up the books. Retired people are working in the yard, maintaining the vehicles, serving on the Tally Committee, setting up chairs, cleaning the sanctuary, greeting at the door. They have taken the focus off self and put it onto service. The Bible has many examples of people who kept enduring until the end. Abraham’s wife Sarah was 90 when she gave birth to Isaac. Moses was 80 when he led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Caleb was 85 when he conquered the hill country in Palestine. Simeon was an old man in the temple when he held the baby Jesus in his arms. History has all kind of examples that people don’t lose their purpose when they turn 62. Picasso was past...

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