Countdown to Retirement

Note: I am resuming writing a blog after taking a sabbatical from blog writing. I hope to continue until I retire in April of this year.

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven”. Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Ever since getting a smart phone, I have been constantly amazed at all the things it can do and all the apps that are available for use. Over a year ago, I downloaded an app called “Countdown”. I was able to input an event and a date and the app would begin a countdown to the appointed time.

I entered the event, “Retirement”, and the date as April 30, 2019. Every time I access the app, it gives me a countdown to the appointed time of my retirement. As I am writing this article, the app is telling me that I have 10 weeks, 5 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes and 29 seconds to my appointed time of retirement. 

Why do I consider my retirement as an “appointed time”? The writer of Ecclesiastes has said it very clearly and concisely. “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. Intrinsic in this verse and the verses that follow is the idea that there is a time for things to begin and a time for things to end. 

As my time at Evergreen SGV is drawing to a close, I have had multiple opportunities to reflect upon the decades gone by. We had a Staff Retreat where everyone was able to share words of affirmation to me and me to them. We have had a Board Retreat were affirmations were shared between me and my fellow leaders.

In the midst of those two retreats, a myriad of memories were shared of the things for which we are grateful. We communicated stories of human drama and relational joys. We regaled one another with the things we witnessed as God did His thing with His people at Evergreen over the years. 

In retrospect, one thing was very evident as we relished the present moments pondering the precious past. God has been very good to us. He has been with us every step of the journey. He has seen us through thick and thin. He has undergirded us in times of trial. He has comforted us in time of heavy-heartedness. He has uplifted us in times of great victories and joyful triumphs.

As the countdown continues, I become more aware of the paternal presence of the Father, the saving grace of the Son and the prodigious power of the Holy Spirit. We have been so very blessed over the years. 

With the seconds ticking toward an inevitable conclusion, my heart is filled with thanksgiving for the people of Evergreen and the Good and Great Shepherd who has led us every step of the way.

Do you have a countdown happening in your life? Please remember that God is in control and He has an appointed time for every event under heaven.

Something to think about…