Things That Make You Go "Hmmm..."

My friend Beth is reading a book I want to read soon. She included a few of the most challenging parts of the book in her latest blog. I was glad. The last quote was incredibly challenging to me.

The book is Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper.

"Where in the Bible do {people} see "retirement"? Did Moses retire? Did Paul retire? Peter? John? Do military officers retire in the middle of a war? How many Christians set their sights on a {retirement} of life - resting, playing, traveling, and so on - the world's substitute for heaven, because they do not believe that there will be one beyond the grave. The mindset is that we must reward ourselves in this life for our long years of labor. Eternal rest and joy after death is an irrelevant consideration. What a strange reward for a Christian to set his sights on! Twenty years of leisure while living in the midst of the last days of infinite consequence for millions of unreached people. What a tragic way to finish the last lap before entering the presence of the King who finished his so differently! (104,5)

-- I love things that challenge me on whether my beliefs come from Biblical culture or the culture of the country I was born into...

This quote makes me want to read the book all the more.

There are times I struggle because we aren't socking away for 'retirement' like good, financially smart Americans should do. But I always go back to the question of what 'retirement' means.

Our pastor told us this morning that he believes that if he and his wife don't work overseas before 'retirement' that that's how they will spend their golden years. That sounds glorious to me.

I don't want to be foolish. I think Scripture is clear in Proverbs 31 that the wise woman plans ahead.

But, what exactly am I planning for? What do I really need?

I want to align my life with Scripture and live for an audience of One!