Motivation

Six months ago, I wrote of my intent to write a blog entry every month about a Biblical view of retirement with the hope of one day turning the material into a book. It doesn't take a particularly astute reader to notice that I have not published anything since. The opening phrase in my last sentence in that blog foreshadowed the issue, “Just to keep me motivated…” 

One person did ask me where the next blog was, but that was obviously not enough motivation. It's not that I didn’t work on researching and writing about retirement. I found lots of data on retirement that detailed people’s expectations (largely unrealistic), disappointments (rather depressing), and triumphs (eventually, most folks figure things out). I outlined the first few blogs about what people think retirement will be, the Biblical importance of work, and the general lack of spiritual plans for retirement. I put together a list of topics to cover like building a spiritual plan, having time to spare (and share), changing identity, renegotiating marital roles, learning to help rather than lead, and understanding the role of hobbies and leisure. 

What I didn’t do was actually finish anything. Why not? Excellent question! Sure, I’ve been busy serving weekly at a charity, working with the church youth group (including writing and giving four talks), traveling, spending time with grandkids, and catching up on a bunch of projects around the house. But in truth, I have had time. 

My best answer comes from something that I had on the wall above my computer during my years of being self-employed. It was not a Bible verse, but a Calvin and Hobbes comic. 

The Bible seems to mostly address the issue as one of laziness such as Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.” While laziness may well be part of my issue, I don’t think that is the bulk of it. One of the challenges of retirement is that if you have successfully planned for it financially, the need for the "harvest" is not driving your actions. Since I don't have to work to pay my bills, I have the freedom to spend my time doing things I like such as ride my bike, read, watch movies, or play video games. None of these things are necessarily wrong or bad, but I don't think they are what God has called me to spend too much of my time doing. 

James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Ouch. Simply put, whatever the issue is, I need to solve it. 

I’m starting seminary classes in a few weeks, in part because I know having deadlines will force me to get things done. I’d love to hear from any of you regarding what you do to motivate yourself to do the things you feel God has called you to do. 

Hopefully, writing this will help me feel motivated to write more! 

Writing about Biblical retirement

I’ve been retired for 16 months. Overall, it has been great, but not without its challenges. There are quite a few things I wish I had known before I retired. There are also questions I’m still trying to figure out. 

Is retirement about hobbies like model railroading?

I'm planning to look at questions like does the Bible forbid retirement? Is retirement the reward for carefully managing my money? What exactly is retirement? Who am I if I'm not working? What should or shouldn't I do with my time? 

I’ve put a decent bit of time into thinking, talking with folks, and reading about retirement. I intend to do more of all three to better understand my retirement considering what the Bible directly says about retirement (very little) and general Biblical principles. 

My plan is to write at least one blog entry a month. (Yes, I barely managed to finish the first one before the end of January!) I’m hoping that these blogs will either give me a good start for a book or convince myself that writing one would be a bad idea. 

What I would love is to hear from any of you about your thoughts on retirement. Please share in the comments, or directly to my email (bill@catchings.com), your experiences, fears, hard-learned lessons, and dreams. Please also let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to try and include. My hope is that we can help each other prepare better for, enjoy more of, and serve God through retirement. 

Just to keep me motivated, please ask me in the coming months where the next installment is!