Retire or Re-fire? Volunteering after retirement

Retire or Re-fire?, by Mike Barres


"I am really looking forward to retirement." That is what many people say. They are arranging their finances, planning well, and some even establish a dream home in the location where they want to retire.

Retirement is great. We enjoy the fruit of our labor. John Maxwell, speaking to a group of senior citizens, asked them to consider if they
might "re-fire" rather than retire.

Those who are retired can be a tremendous asset to the local church and the Kingdom of God. Most in this category today are in good health, have time to offer, and have a steady income. Praise the Lord for retirement.

One thing we need to remember, however, is that we should never retire spiritually! Oswald Chambers put it this way:

The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own or to enjoy spiritual retirement; we are here so as to realize Jesus Christ that the Body of Christ may be built up.

The devil never retires.

God never retires.

We should never retire spiritually.

In spiritual race, let's not slow down or retire. Instead, like a runner who races to finish, let's run through the tape at the end of the race.

Even as we grow older, we can grow spiritually every day! Therefore we do not lose heart.

Let's live to finish like Paul did. At the end of his life, he was able to say,

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(c) 2005 Mike Barres <[email protected]>.


My church of 1,300 members is still looking for Sunday School teachers for 3 year olds, 5 year olds and 3rd graders for Sept. I find that VERY sad ..........