Retirement and Serving the Lord

I mentioned in a recent blog about Dr. Robert Cushman, one of my professors at Duke Divinity School.   While I was young and  in my early days of ministry,  his days of ministry were in their latter stage. He had  taught seminary students and “soon to be” preachers for decades as well as having served as Dean of Duke Divinity School for a time.    I recall being in attendance at the Annual Conference Session for the N.C. Conference in June 1981 when Dr. Cushman retired as a member of the Conference.   It was customary in that day for the retirees to be given an opportunity to say a “few words” to the Annual Conference.   Of course,  the retiring preachers would differ in their  interpretation and practice of what a “few words” would be.   When Robert Cushman got a chance to speak to the Annual Conference, he did make remarks of only a “few words”.   Though it has been decades ago,  I still remember what Dr. Cushman said and it was this:   “While I retire today as an elder of the N.C. Conference,  I will never retire from following Jesus and serving the Lord.”

In my years of reading and study of the Bible, I don’t recall ever reading that there was an expiration date on serving the Lord.    As long as we have breath, we can serve the Lord and be disciples of Jesus.  People like Abraham, Moses, and the like served the Lord way past the age when social security and medicare begins for today’s retirees.   I give thanks to all those persons who continue to serve the Lord faithfully despite being on the social security and medicare roll.  My family and I personally have been the recipient of their ministry and service.  I am glad to serve the Lord with them now and  having served with them in the past.  This world and Christ’s Church are better for them.  Have a joy-filled week. --  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,   I give thanks for all those who continue to serve you in the final decades of life.  Lord, help me to go and do likewise;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.