| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Fully Alive” Our Bible verse for today: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim his praises …” 1 Peter 2:9 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Live with purpose and passion” There’s a lot of speculation these days about whether or not Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will retire. He is 82 but in good health, and he certainly doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to retire. He enjoys what he does. He also believes in the importance of it and he evidently believes he is still effective in that role. So, he plans to stick around for a while. President Joe Biden is 78. He plans to serve in that role for at least another three years, and he’s talking about running for reelection. Former President Donald Trump is 75 and talking about running for office again in three years when he will be 78. If he does get reelected, he will be 82 when his second term expires. What’s up with those people? Why are they working so hard in such demanding professions so late into life? I guess they like it, and I guess they believe that what they’re doing matters. I can relate. I’m 67 but I love being a pastor, preacher, teacher, and writer and I have no plans to stop any time soon. I think my life would be less rewarding and fulfilling if I wasn’t doing this. However, I live in a retirement community where almost everyone else is fully retired. So many of them seem lost, without clear purpose for this season of their lives. They play endless rounds of golf, they fish, they play card games, and they watch hours of television – only to repeat it all again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. For most of them that gets pretty old pretty fast and they quickly start looking for meaning and purpose. Some of them take part-time jobs just to have something to do. Others find volunteer opportunities. And some of them, sadly, just waste away. We need purpose and passion in our lives in order to be fully alive. We need a reason to live. That doesn’t necessarily mean a paying job. You don’t have to work until you die. But it does mean that God has created us to be productive and to live meaningful lives that make a difference. The seniors and retirees in our church are excellent examples of that. They are some of the hardest working and most helpful people in the church! That’s the kind of thing Peter was referring to in 1 Peter 2:9. God hasn’t left us here on earth just to play golf, fish, and watch television. There are places to go, people to see, things to do! God has a purpose for your life. In all seasons of life, we need purpose and passion in order to be fully alive. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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