#4: Live As a Refiree, Not A Retiree

“[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.” Psalm 92:14

Elderitis: a state of unfruitfulness in old age creating a disconnection with other generations through a desensitized spirit, a hardened heart, a foolishness of mind, an absence of purpose, a loss of impact, and a loss of respect. It is a state in which the inner man is no longer being renewed, where vision is replaced by reminiscence, and wisdom gives way to folly.

My brother and I used to own a very old pickup—it was 30 years old when we finally got rid of it. That old pickup had plenty of dents, missing parts and some things that just didn’t work so well anymore. In spite of all its “aging” features, one thing remained true about that old truck right up until the end—it continued to serve its purpose quite well. Getting older can seem a lot like that old truck—parts wearing out and things not working quite like they used to work. But God has assured us that we are His workmanship, and as long as we have breath, He will continue work out His purposes He prepared for us to do.

Our modern notion of retirement has contributed to a sense of purposelessness in many people. For many it is a time for pursuing selfish agendas and retreating from the glory of our purpose and all that God has prepared for us to do. I believe it’s time to call men and women from retirement to “refirement”—not as retirees, but as refirees. God wants to fan into flame the gifts He has given you and refire you for some of the best years of significant ministry and blessing you have ever known.

Your grandchildren and their families are a primary opportunity for refired ministry. And beyond our own families are scores of children, youth and young adults who need and wants your investment of time and wisdom into their lives. There is too much to lose for us to miss this opportunity to invest for the future. Which will you choose?

GRANDPAUSE: The world asks, “What does a man own?” Christ asks, “How does he use it?” –Andrew Murray