The retirement of an individual is a major life event. Numerous individuals enter a new phase of life as they conclude their professional careers. It’s hard to find meaning and purpose in life after you retire, especially if you feel like you’ve lost something when you retire from your profession. But, the Bible helps elderly individuals find purpose and meaning in their later years.
Retirement and the Pursuit of God’s Will
The pursuit of God is a key tenet of the Bible. To paraphrase Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Throughout your golden years, continue to seek God’s will and guidance for this particular phase of your life, place your lives in God’s hands and inquire as to what he desires from you.
Retire With Meaning: Volunteer Your Time
Being a part of a volunteer organisation or doing volunteer service is one option. Giving your time as a volunteer is a great way to improve your community and the lives of others. According to Jesus, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” This is found in Matthew 25:35–36. By obeying Jesus’ command to serve others, you emulate Christ’s behaviour and influence those around you.
Retirement: Serving God With Your Talents
Using one’s talents for God’s glory is another tenet of the Bible. According to 1 Peter 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” we are to put our spiritual talents to use for the benefit of others. This means that you should use your gifts and talents to help other people and bring glory to God. In your golden years, you have a tremendous opportunity to impact those around you by sharing wisdom, knowledge, and talents through teaching, mentoring, and simply listening to those in need.
The Apostle Paul is a good example of this in real life. Paul, in his latter years, used his talents and abilities to encourage and serve others. He wrote letters to early Christian churches, personally visited them, and encouraged and mentored other Christians. Despite his age and physical limitations, Paul continued to serve God and have an influence on the lives of others.
Retiring Fulfilment: The Joy of Retirement Companionship
In addition to volunteering and using your talents, continue to build stronger relationships within your family and with others to live a life of purpose and meaning in retirement. Ephesians 4:2–3 tells us to be humble, kind, patient, and loving. Prioritise relationships with family members and others, and foster a supportive community around you.
Retirement: A Time for New Pursuits
Pursuing hobbies and interests helps maintain focus in your later years. This gives us the excitement and joy that come from engaging in new and interesting activities. As the Bible instructs, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as to the Lord and not to mankind” (Colossians 3:23), therefore, it is essential to use this time to investigate new areas of interest and to serve the Lord in whatever you choose to do. Also, this makes it possible for you to pursue your hobbies and interests that you were unable to pursue before retirement, and it also brings happiness and encourages you to remain active in your communities.
Retiring Meaningful: Nurturing Your Spiritual Self
By investing in your spiritual lives, you also find meaning in retirement. The Bible states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Nurture your spiritual person with a high priority on reading, meditating, and studying the Bible, as well as developing your spiritual walk and a deeper relationship with God.
Set aside a daily prayer and reflection time. You can do it alone, with a prayer buddy, or in a small group. You can pray for others, your communities, major catastrophic events happening around the world, and for the salvation of those around you in your spheres of influence. Serving in a prayer ministry or on a prayer walk is another way to pray and intercede.
Join a Bible study or prayer group. Meet regularly with other believers for Bible study, prayer, and mutual encouragement. This keeps you connected to your faith community and deepens your understanding of God’s Word. In a nutshell, retirement can be a challenging transition for elderly individuals, but by following Bible teachings and examples, it can also be a time of great purpose and fulfilment. As you seek God’s will, utilise your talents, nurture relationships, pursue hobbies, and invest in your spiritual lives, you can continue to bear fruit in old age and remain fresh and green. By proclaiming the Lord’s righteousness and goodness, you can have a positive impact on your communities and find true meaning in retirement. Remember the promise of Psalm 92:14–15 and embrace this new phase of life with hope and joy.