I’ve always said that I want to live until I die. Meaning, I want to continue learning, growing, teaching, sharing, worshiping, etc. forever. I also desire to remain childlike. I want to always play and be silly. I hope to have lots of energy when I face the final chapter of my life. I want to live. Truly live.
As I watch my dad, I consider this.
As his last chapter has rolled around and his life is changing, his last stretch into the world has been ministry. His days since retiring are full of men’s luncheon at a church, Bible/book study at another church, Sunday services, Wednesday services, prison ministry…
As I considered my own desire for my final years, this morning, I realized that I have a great example. It’s been beautiful to watch him lean into this part of his life. Letting go of his business and career was difficult, as I would imagine it is for any person. But in all things, I always look for the fruit…the fruit of his decision to retire has been sweet and juicy. It’s created this space for him. I don’t believe he will ever regret it. Except, maybe that he didn’t embrace it sooner.
The catch is, when we let one thing go there is always a time of emptiness. It’s a beautiful time, but most of us feel it is a burden. We wonder if we even have a purpose anymore. We may flounder and think we have made a bad decision. Only a very few people learn to lean into that emptiness and discover the beauty of the in between.
In the in between, anything is possible. You have ample time to heal or learn a new part of God’s heart from a peaceful, still place. In the in between, you can begin to ask God what His dream is for your next chapter. In that space we can find the boredom that brings the blessing. Remember me mentioning that a while back? We need that bored place as much as kids do. It’s in that place that we finally have time to think, create, dream, and just be.
The in between is where we’ve been living for a while. It’s always a different amount of time for each person, but it does serve a wonderful purpose, if we’re willing to surrender to it.
In that space we can begin to see…possibility.
With God all things are possible. The view from the in between can seem overwhelming because of the number of options, but what a gift! Isn’t it wonderful that we follow a God Who values freedom? Freedom to choose.
The world these days has been attempting to chomp away at our freedom to choose, and that’s what makes me value it even more. In God I am always free. So are you.
I challenge you to lean into your chapter of life. Find satisfaction in it, no matter what. Are you living from a purpose, or just happenstance? There are few things better than living a life filled with purpose. You can find it in any season, even the in between.
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. But You, O Lord, are exalted forever. For surely Your enemies, O Lord, surely Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me. My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92
365 Days in the Presence 