When I first retired, I thought I knew what it meant. I wanted to do everything, travel everywhere, and serve as much as I could. Everything I received regarding retirement discussed Medicare, Social Security, or finances. Now I’m receiving information about “sensible” and “complete” cremations. What is an incomplete cremation? My stepdad had the philosophy of “work hard… and then you die.” He did just that. My mom had the idea of “shop
till you drop”. She flew to Las Vegas spent the day shopping and died the next morning at age 87.
The command that the Israelites were given as they entered the PROMISED LAND helped me to focus my thinking on a Biblical view of the years following a lifetime of work.
Leviticus 25
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the Lord. 3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord…
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields”.
Can you imagine after a lifetime of work that the Israelites enjoyed a period of rest and celebration to God. The concept of the Year of Jubilee was to focus on family, return to your roots, and experiencing a time of letting go. This was to be a time of spiritual renewal. This was truly a time of celebration…a JUBILEE. In one way or another this sounds like RETIREMENT.
Retirement captures the idea of stepping back and entering a different phase of life. Whether it’s the end of a career, a transition into a more restful period, or a change in responsibilities why not take some time to consider “time out.” In all your planning for retirement, have you considered taking the opportunity to totally focus on spiritual renewal and rest? Consider exploring the concept of the JUBILEE here at the Kodiak Baptist Mission on the beautiful Island of Kodiak, Alaska. Spend a week or two, or part of your sabbatical. Perhaps you are considering a change in vocation, or you need to make some life changing decisions. Come at whatever stage of retirement you are in and see what God may have in store for you in this stage of your life’s journey.
John Zinck
Volunteer at Kodiak Baptist Mission