“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV)
As I write this I’m very aware that we are coming to the end of another year, a very eventful year, as every year usually is. However, this year was unique for me personally in that most of it was spent in “retirement” from paid employment. I served with the same mission organization (and a great one at that) for over 40 years! Needless to say, it was a shock to the system taking such a giant step.
Before 2023 arrived I knew that my “retirement” years were imminent and that I had better have plans to keep myself occupied and still doing productive things. I had envisioned before the year began that I would be doing a lot more of this – writing posts on my blog. To my embarrassment this is my first (and will be my last) post of 2023! The good news is that 2024 is before us and I can resolve to do better in the next year! We’ll see!
Over the last eleven months since leaving formal employment I have been able to reflect on what the author to the book of Ecclesiastes (quoted above) had to say about life and what, in the end is truly important. Time has flown and no doubt it won’t slow down for me or anyone else. So it’s a good time to reflect on what I did and did not accomplish in 2023 and what I hope to correct in 2024.
Some things are clearly emerging –
Efficiency can be an issue. Since leaving paid employment its very tempting to waste more time in meaningless activity than necessary. I think that I used my time more effectively when there were deadlines to meet, although some still exist and are self-imposed. I was sharper when knew I had to answer to another human being for my work. I’m finding ways to be accountable even though it may not matter to anyone but myself.
Other people always have plans for how I spend my time – if I don’t! The need to still be pro-active with my time is very important. If I don’t have a plan others can come in and make my plans for me. Other people have come up with many good “suggestions” about how I spend my time and some of them have a good deal of legitimacy. My need to be prayerful and purposeful didn’t change with employment ending. I continually need to re-focus on what is most important.
Good health takes time. I have been blessed with the gift of good health most of my life. I had a childhood illness that set me back briefly years ago but outside of that my health has been good, and I’m exceedingly grateful. However, I’m learning that I can’t take my health for granted and if I want to make the most of the years ahead I have to invest in activity, exercise and the occasional visits to health professionals who can foresee problems coming down the line.
Awareness is important but worldly concerns can consume. I spend less time most of the time getting consumed with news and world affairs. I question how much of the daily news I really need to know. Some I’m sure, but without letting it control me. I find my attentiveness to others and my overall attitude is much better if my time is invested elsewhere than a steady diet of world affairs.
As I come near to my 70th birthday and the completion of my first full year self-employed I believe that there are productive days and hopefully years yet to come. I’m grateful to God for continued life, health, for family, friends and many good things yet to come.
In the end, God my LORD and Maker, has the final say in the results of whatever I do. May I continue to live for His glory and the priorities He has for my life, and yes, my time.
My prayer is that whatever your situation may be as you read this, you will look to Him for true life, meaning and purpose.
Lessons for Living 