Psalm 92:13-15 “Those who
are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They
shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to
declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no
unrighteousness in Him.
I have always thought it interesting that many of
the English “Surnames”, our family’s last name, especially the ones with
occupational origins. Taylor, Wagner, Fischer, Smith, Baker, Thatcher, Hunter,
Tanner, Mason, Barber, Carpenter, Cook, Gardener, Turner, and even Todd,
indicated the family line of business, craft or trade. In that case, I guess
that I am truly Brian, the Scotch-Irish “Fox Hunter” by surname profession.
But, I wonder how few and far between we find folks actually involved in the
occupations today which their surname represents? I’m sure that there are some,
but seem rare today. Some of these occupations have changed or gone away as
time and technology advanced also. But, even more common, is that people today
choose their occupation, not on family business, but on their personality,
their talents, their education field, their dreams, desires and likes. Oh, I
know that there are plenty that have to take whatever work that they can find
to make ends meet, and many that are in a job that they do not like, just to
pay the bills and provide food, clothes and a roof over their head too, as the
breadwinner.
I did not hunt foxes; never have or will, so in a
way, you could say that I am a Todd in name only … a nominal Todd as far as the
family business. But, I did follow in the footsteps of my father for my
occupation and profession. My dad, after serving in the US Navy during both
World War 2 & the Korean War, worked his entire career at the American telecommunications
company AT&T. Growing up, I always wanted to be a “telephone man”, just
like my father. I think that it is pretty common for a young boy to be like his
dad; at least for me it was, so I chose that profession early on in life. I
went to work for American Telephone and Telegraph Company in Southern
California (Pacific Telephone and Telegraph company), just one week after
graduating from High School and have been there my entire almost 39 year career,
developing a skill and putting my knowledge, ability and expertise for this
craft into practice daily. But, yesterday, I packed up and walked out the door
for the last time, leaving behind the occupation and profession that defined my
vocation to others all those years. We plan and build a “nest egg” for the day
that we can stop working our job or career because we have reached an age and
financial secure enough to where you do not need or want to work at that
particular job anymore; better known as “retirement”. Now, some new young
person starting their career has an employment opportunity for that
telecommunications trade position and an ability to make a livelihood by the
vacancy.
John
1:12-13 “As many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.”
Surnames may have defined the family occupations in
the past, but didn’t define “family”. Likewise, our jobs and career positions
today also define “what we do”, but not “who we are”. In the family of God, the
name “Christian” is not defined by what we do, but by what God did by sending
His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to take our place and pay the price for sin
in propitiation’s redemption and salvation for all those who repent, believe and receive Him. The child of God carries the family name, trusting and obeying
our Creator Father in heaven, but is also in the “family business” of
redemption, salvation and love. We proclaim, teach and defend the faith by (1)
What we believe., (2) Why we believe it., (3) How we live it., and (4) How we
share it. The kingdom
of God is our family home
and our profession.
I retired from my career trade, but will never
retire from my family and name here. The next chapter of life begins.
Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs
I will carry you! I have
made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
In Christ, Brian
6 comments:
Congratulations and best wishes for the next phase.
Thanks UGP. That phase is not clear yet, but I have time to prayerfully consider the options. One thing is for sure though, ministry increases. Glory be to God! Happy New Year.
Once again you nailed it! We never really "retire" from God's work here on earth! We can be used in all stages of our journey, right? We entered that retirement stage 3 years ago and have been enjoying our "freedom" from the daily grind. But I am restless in finding where God would have me go or what He would desire me to do now....PRAYER...that is what I have been doing; asking Him to walk before me guiding me where I am to go next. Thank you for your thoughts and for your insight! Blessings
Thank you Nancy for the great comments. I like what you said: "We can be used in all stages of our journey." Used by the One Sovereign Lord God who spoke Creation into existence to touch the lives and the planet with love and care aligned with His purposes and for His glory. You bring up the search that we all look to the Lord in prayer for direction in: "finding where God would have me go or what He would desire me to do." Both involve "action" with "purpose". What's next in this abundant life? I can't wait to get started! Blessings sister.
Hi Brian,
From what I hear retirement leaves one busier then they ever were when they were working. :)
Praying this next book in life will be filled with God and lots of fun, new adventures.
Blessings brother,
<><
Thank you sister. Same book, next chapter. Always blessed.
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