Play For Keeps - Retirement Rework

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26, NLT)

Anyone thinking that the apostle Paul might consider handing out “participation ribbons” should think again. In just three verses, he thrashes any such delusion. He sounds more like a coach at halftime saying to his team, “We have everything to play for—but we’re bringing less energy than they are! Now get back out there and play like you want to be here!”

As we near retirement, we gradually complete different racing events in our lives. If we believe we have achieved most of what we were created to do, we throttle down and turn to focus on enjoying a job well done.

There’s only one problem with that if you’re a believer: it’s not in the Bible. Instead, it speaks about finishing the race (2 Tim. 4:7-8), always giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), pressing on toward the goal (Phil. 3:14), running with perseverance (Heb. 12:1-2), and enduring to the end (Matt. 24:13).

It’s okay to take a break after finishing a worthy endeavor, a few moments to back off the pressure, seek some rejuvenation, and reflect on our good work. God Himself modeled this in the second chapter of the Bible. But the “rest” consistently mentioned in Scripture is only temporary in nature.

I consistently hear people say, “After about six months, I got bored.” That’s because you weren’t created to thrive without a purpose. You just needed a solid break. That break is even sweeter when you know you have something important to dive into next.

This is why I suggest people should pre-plan a “retirement sabbath.” I can’t say how long it should last, but I can say that you’ll want to think about it in terms of months, not years. Don’t take what is supposed to be a rest and make it the rest of your life.

Paul would be frustrated to see what some of us have done with our final third. We’re so distracted. Words like “disciplined” or “winning” would be a stretch. If we give ourselves to leisure, hobbies, travel, entertainment, sport, busyness, complaining to each other, or the TV, Paul calls it shadowboxing.

God made us to be at our best when we keep taking purposeful steps. I know some people who are doing this very thing. Even though they’re older, more tired, not as healthy as they once were, face financial pressures, and are dealing with loss, they’re still running. And guess what: they are the most fulfilled and happy people I know. They don’t see their activity as a sacrifice; they see it as a privilege.

As you age, you don’t have to be frantic in order to be playing for keeps. So let that quiet time linger. Sip that coffee slower. Walk a little farther. Stay in that beautiful place a little longer. Hold those grandkids a little tighter. Celebrate the anniversary a little better.

But at all costs, don’t stop running for Him. You need this more than He does.

I serve alongside an inspirational lady named Sherri at Crossfire Ministries – a local service to the working poor. Sherri is 87 and her husband passed away nine years ago. She lives alone and can no longer drive a car. It would be very easy for her to pack it in. But Sherri’s running with purpose in every step.

She arranges a ride to and from Crossfire each day it’s open, where her duty is to stand at the front of the welcoming line, give guests the best hug they’ve ever had, and make sure they know they are valued by the Lord. Occasionally I have the privilege of giving her a ride and chatting for a few minutes. I can tell you, she’s never once complained. If you ask her how she’s doing, her answer is always “Fabulous!” She’s become known as Fabulous Sherri.

What are you known for?

As evidenced in Scripture, Paul and the other biblical authors are watching us as we circle the last bend of our life-track. If we’re bent over with our hands on our knees catching our breath, they start pointing and shouting, “What are you doing? The finish line is up there!”

Don’t get caught shadowboxing. Play to win as you point more people to Christ. One day when you cross your actual finish line, let it be with a mix of exhaustion and joy on your face, knowing you ran every step with purpose.