When reflecting my way through Paul’s letter to the believers at Colossae, I noticed something unique that I had never noticed before. While he was encouraging them to devote themselves to pray, he felt compelled to request them to pray for himself. I expected that much, but what I had never noticed before was precisely what he requested prayer for: “pray for us too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Colossians 4:3-4 (NLT). Hum! Why would he ask something like that?
He said he was in chains because of his preaching. What exactly was he requesting then? His dream was to leave prison behind and savor what he prized above what he had been doing—the happiness he gained from preaching Christ. How did he honestly feel about composing the books of the Bible that remain so insightful to us today? Though he didn’t state it outright, he obviously found preaching far more productive, fruitful, and fulfilling than writing the books we now call the Bible. I can relate a bit to him, having gone through the hustle and bustle of serving in pastoral and executive state leadership of pastors and churches and now being retired. I have repeatedly quoted Paul’s words, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 ESV). In retirement, living for Christ felt like staying alive while waiting for my end, grazing in the pasture. My wife described her feelings during the final years before she passed away from MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). She felt that her inability to serve actively our Lord amounted to futility. I’m familiar with retired ministers who like to chat about their experiences serving as pastors or in whatever capacity they did. They preferred discussing active ministry—the good old days—over retirement.
Actually, this problem isn’t limited to the clergy. People retiring from farming, managing businesses, or mothers with an ‘empty house’ all experience similar emotions. As we noted above, the Apostle Paul experienced the same feelings. Another truth is that these feelings show us how much our secular cultural values have shaped us compared to the values in the kingdom of God. He thinks and acts in ways that are quite unlike ours. (Isaiah 55:8) The condition of our heart toward God matters far more to Him than our actions performed for Him.
David referred to God as His “high tower”, referencing that God is able to see much farther into the future than we humans can. The final outcome of God’s plan for us remains unfinished after our trials or victories. God is working more in us and through us than we can imagine. Therefore, when we come to the end of whatever we may have been doing for God or with God, due to retirement, limited health issues, employment or whatever gives us a pause, our inactivity is not the end of His activity in and through us. In that light, when whatever stops our service for Him, none of us can pause our quest for greater intimacy with Him. Without pressing to know and enjoy Him more, our relationship with Him and future will begin to fossilize. We must remember, a track runner may be first out of the starting blocks, everything hinges on how we cross the finish line.
Are you and I able to rest joyfully, trusting that He still works within and through us long after our actions for Him have nearly stopped?