Uncharted - Retirement Rework

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, NLT)

Hebrews 11 mentions 16 people by name, as well as a handful of people groups. All are lauded for their faith. One of the most famous verses in this chapter states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (v. 6).

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re interested in pleasing God! So, what can we learn about the realities of faith in connection with the nonfinancial side of our retirement season? Over the next two days, we’ll unpack two important faith characteristics. Today’s is “Go, even if you don’t know.”

The journey to retirement is full of planning. We chart out our desired activities, where we will travel, where we will live, and who we’ll spend time with. We envision what this season ahead might resemble, thinking that if we build a clear picture of our destination, we’ll be safe and happy.

I believe God wants us to spend more time preparing than planning.

The two may seem very similar, but they aren’t at all. Throughout Scripture, God calls us to prepare by stewarding our gifts well. But for what? As hard as it may sound, faith puts us on a need-to-know basis. Preparation is getting ready for the unknown, while planning is trying to eliminate the unknown.

I was talking with a few gentlemen on this idea recently. The question arose, “Why would we take time to pursue something when we don’t know where it will lead?” Most everyone, including myself, would like to know where the finish is before we start. If we can’t know, then we likely won’t go. This is a dominant human trait.

But much spiritual maturity is gained by learning to get past what we want (known certainty) and getting busy pursuing what God wants (just trust Me). When your children occasionally did what you told them to do simply out of trust for your authority and life experience, you were pleased. You knew more than they did, and even though they didn’t understand why it mattered at the time, you knew it would serve them well in life’s bigger picture.

So it is with faith. It’s a continuous action. It’s not something about which you get to say, “I had faith yesterday (or in the last season of my life), and now it’s time to really know where I’m headed.” Always knowing the end from the beginning keeps many of us from stepping into the adventure the Lord has waiting for us.

What if you adjusted your approach to the next season from planning to preparation? I’m guessing there’s something in your heart or mind that seems slightly radical … an inkling, a dream, an undeveloped talent, or a venture completely new to you. You’re not sure why you would take a first step to engage it. It might feel unreasonable or abnormal when compared to what you are known for now. Or, it simply isn’t how people operate, because if others asked you why you were doing it, your answer might be “I’m not sure.”

Perfect! Step into it anyway. Talk to God about it. Say, “Lord, I’m going to take this first step out of faith. I’m trusting you to do something with it that I never could have dreamed ... for your glory.” Then, enjoy the journey in the unknown because it’s pleasing to the Lord.

When Abraham set out, he had no idea where it would lead. For doing this, the author of Hebrews praises him for his faith. When David was a shepherd defending his sheep by learning how to use a sling, he had no idea that he would one day use that skill to defend God’s people by defeating Goliath. He had no grand visions of taking down a giant, and the sheep weren’t impressed. But God was.

How might you begin to prepare today by stepping into something that might not seem significant just yet? It might just be the right type of faith that God eventually uses to do something you couldn’t have dreamed up on your own.

Go, even if you don’t know.