RETIREMENT LESSON 1: SUPPORT PERSONNEL ARE IMPORTANT
I’ve been retired for 6 months now. Its been great having more time with Nancy and we have grown even closer, I never imagined we could be any closer than we were but we are. We have been gone more than we have been home, literally, visiting children and grandchildren. We’ve done lots of babysitting as well. I don’t miss the stress of always seeming to have more to do than I had time to do it. But (isn’t there always a ‘but’) I do really miss teaching and preaching and sharing God’s Word. I haven’t preached in 6 months.
I’ve been taken off the front lines and put in a supportive position. But that’s OK. I don’t have the energy to keep going as I once did. I do make forays to the front line from time to time. I led our World View Reunion in October, I do spiritual warfare counseling and I have our trip to India coming up. I have some preaching opportunities coming up in 2017 and that is good. I know I am right where God wants me to be.
I do miss front line ministry because there is so much to be done to further God’s kingdom and defeat evil as well as help believers grow. I’m trying to adjust to an easier life when others are working so much harder to further God’s Word in these difficult days. I know the role God has given me now is important as well for no army succeeds without good supportive personnel behind the lines aiding them, filling in when necessary, doing what they can to free the front line people up for the harder tasks doing whatever they can to help the cause. We who are not on the front lines but offer our support can share our wisdom and experience, can encourage and especially can pray. We have more time and resources to dedicate and use where needed.
I know most of you reading this have been in this supportive role most, if not all of your lives. I’m gaining a new appreciation for how important you are and all you do for the Kingdom. We all serve faithfully, whatever God has given us to do – in full time Christian ministry or supporting those who are in it. God doesn’t look at the quantity of our work but the quality, our faithfulness to the task He has given us. I encourage you to continue to faithfully serve in the little ways God has given you, because in God’s sight there is no such thing as ‘little’ service!
2 Chronicles 16:9 – “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy (faithful) man?”
Do you undervalue your service or your personal worth to God? Rebuke these lies of the enemy and allow God to love you and give you His peace. Accept His love and worth of you.
Are faithful to what God has given you, or do you do less than you should because you think what you are doing isn’t that important? If so, confess your sin and recommit yourself to faithful service.
INDIA UPDATE: Our first conference in India, the day after arriving, is a 2-day conference for young people. It is a great opportunity to help them become established in their faith, especially at a time when many are leaving it. I will be focusing on apologetics: How we know God exists, the Bible is true, Jesus is God, heaven, hell, demons and angels are real, etc.
PRAY FOR many youth to come and all would understand and respond to the truth of God’s Word in their lives. Pray God would use them to advance His work in India. Pray for the youth who will come to the other conferences and church services as well. They are the hope for the future of India, and India will be a major world power in the near future.
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization
india.christiantrainingonline.org/