Numbers 8
The Levites are appointed as the Lord's. They are prepared. Every male from age 25 to 50 is set aside to serve in the tent of the meeting. They must retire at the age of 50! Now that's a retirement age!
We dream about the day when we will have time to relax - to enjoy life. We plan for our futures - the day when we will be able to sleep in and relax and generally enjoy life. Sadly, that does not usually happen. Retirement age keeps going up and up and our health and finances keep going down and down. Sure, many of us manage to make ends meet on our retirement pensions (if we have one), even on Social Security. But, there is little extra for the things that were so looked forward to in years gone past. And our health, now that is another matter.... We just can't do the things we would have been able to when we were younger. We find much of our past was wasted on dreams that would never come true. We remember with sadness the years when we could have - should have - enjoyed the life that God has given us, but did not because we were too busy preparing for a future that never came to be.
This morning my mind keeps tracking back to one of the first books of the Bible that I ever read: Ecclesiates. It's actually kind of a depressing book. But, I go back to it every now and then, especially when I'm feeling more worn out than usual. This morning, I have to confess my thoughts and writings are tainted (and probably read/sound disjointed to you) by a major attack of the shingles. My head is pounding and my left eye blurry. I woke up wondering when I would feel like really moving and enjoying life again. The writer of Ecclesiates tells us: "I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live: moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil." (Eccl 3:12-13 NRSV)
Many young people today just cannot wait until they retire to enjoy the gifts that God has given them. My warning this morning to anyone who is thinking like this is to enjoy today - don't wait for tomorrow to appreciate and enjoy the gifts that God has given you today. Tomorrow they may be gone. Tomorrow you may be gone. Somehow we need to learn to enjoy and to give thanks for the moment; each and every moment that God has given us, whether it is in work or play. If we could do that then it probably would not matter to anyone whether they retired at 50 or 80.
Those Levites who were ordered to retire at age 50 no longer held the positions, but they were allowed to continue to serve by assisting those who took their places. Most Pastors and Priests today never really retire. They may retire from a specific position, but they continue to serve. Ministry is not a job. It is a lifestyle. It is a part of who we are and whose we are - Christ's. I only know one, maybe two, Pastors who have actually dropped out of ministering to God and to others after they retired. Service to God and others becomes such a major part of our lives that there is no way it will ever really end. Service to God, in a very real way brings us closer to his presence each and every day, until we join Him fully in that Kingdom prepared for us by His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Levites are appointed as the Lord's. They are prepared. Every male from age 25 to 50 is set aside to serve in the tent of the meeting. They must retire at the age of 50! Now that's a retirement age!
We dream about the day when we will have time to relax - to enjoy life. We plan for our futures - the day when we will be able to sleep in and relax and generally enjoy life. Sadly, that does not usually happen. Retirement age keeps going up and up and our health and finances keep going down and down. Sure, many of us manage to make ends meet on our retirement pensions (if we have one), even on Social Security. But, there is little extra for the things that were so looked forward to in years gone past. And our health, now that is another matter.... We just can't do the things we would have been able to when we were younger. We find much of our past was wasted on dreams that would never come true. We remember with sadness the years when we could have - should have - enjoyed the life that God has given us, but did not because we were too busy preparing for a future that never came to be.
This morning my mind keeps tracking back to one of the first books of the Bible that I ever read: Ecclesiates. It's actually kind of a depressing book. But, I go back to it every now and then, especially when I'm feeling more worn out than usual. This morning, I have to confess my thoughts and writings are tainted (and probably read/sound disjointed to you) by a major attack of the shingles. My head is pounding and my left eye blurry. I woke up wondering when I would feel like really moving and enjoying life again. The writer of Ecclesiates tells us: "I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live: moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil." (Eccl 3:12-13 NRSV)
Many young people today just cannot wait until they retire to enjoy the gifts that God has given them. My warning this morning to anyone who is thinking like this is to enjoy today - don't wait for tomorrow to appreciate and enjoy the gifts that God has given you today. Tomorrow they may be gone. Tomorrow you may be gone. Somehow we need to learn to enjoy and to give thanks for the moment; each and every moment that God has given us, whether it is in work or play. If we could do that then it probably would not matter to anyone whether they retired at 50 or 80.
Those Levites who were ordered to retire at age 50 no longer held the positions, but they were allowed to continue to serve by assisting those who took their places. Most Pastors and Priests today never really retire. They may retire from a specific position, but they continue to serve. Ministry is not a job. It is a lifestyle. It is a part of who we are and whose we are - Christ's. I only know one, maybe two, Pastors who have actually dropped out of ministering to God and to others after they retired. Service to God and others becomes such a major part of our lives that there is no way it will ever really end. Service to God, in a very real way brings us closer to his presence each and every day, until we join Him fully in that Kingdom prepared for us by His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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