July 1, 2021 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I talked at length with a friend who makes films and he told me about his latest film which is about sex trafficking. He has secured funding and has a couple of academy award winning actors lined up and will be ready to start filming soon. He knew I was active in fighting child sex trafficking and wanted some information on my efforts concerning federal laws pertaining to those who engage in it.
My friend is 83 years old and has another film lined up about the life of Paul. He has a similar condition of spinal stenosis that I have and recently consulted with his neurologist and spine surgeon. They suggested he needed an operation and he asked what the recovery time was. They told him it would be a year. He informed the doctor that his schedule was very heavy, and he was actually booked for the next 5 ½ years and he would get the operation after it opened up again. The astonished doctor responded that not many surgeons would be willing to perform spinal surgery on an 88-year-old man. My friend smiled and said he would find one. Wow! I exclaimed what a tough old buzzard you are.
Then he inquired of me and what I’d been working on. I sheepishly responded that I wasn’t working on much of anything at the moment, aside from spending more time with my family, I write Words for the Day which he reads and conduct a Bible study and have started a half-hearted effort of writing a couple of books and yes I go fishing quite often. He told me that God was giving me a well-deserved vacation from the years of flying all over creation for my career, prison ministry, speaking engagements, and trying to build the Jesus Alliance. I told him I’d never been happier and there was zero doubt that God was blessing me.
As I think about my friend who is still slugging it out, I feel nothing but sheer admiration for him and a little guilt for me because I’m not doing more. There is no mention of retirement in the Bible. All I could find is the Levites who worked in the temple who after they reached a ripe old age no longer were required to do physical work such as carrying heavy urns of ceremonial water and so on. Instead, they became teachers and guards.
So, during Bible study in Psalm 121 this morning I was reminded that God never sleeps and constantly watches over us. In the commentary for this chapter. I read the story of Methodist Bishop William Alfred Quayle who late one night worked himself to intense exhaustion trying to finish a project. He read this verse and was reminded of the promise of God’s 24-hour vigil over him. He heard God speak to him, saying, “Quayle, there’s no need for both of us to stay up all night. I’m going to stay up anyway, so you go to bed and get some sleep.”
That my friends, is resting in God!
I have always felt I can determine when I was on target with God because I was at total peace in my soul and mind. I refer to such time as “resting in the Lord”. These days I know more peace than I’ve ever known, and this story spoke to me because it reminds me that God is ALWAYS with me, even if I cannot feel it, He’s there. Bishop Quayle felt it and I’m sure went right on to bed after hearing from God.
I don’t know how long it will be before God might tell me, “Okay rest time is over, you have had some fun in the sun, spent time with your family, and now it is time to get back to work. I have this important job for you, so pack your bags.” Or maybe He will want me just to continue doing what I’m doing, make up for lost time with my family due to a demanding career and ministry, relax a little and fish, encourage others through writing, and perhaps form a home Bible study group and try to get it to evolve into a sorely needed church in Duck Key.
I will always serve the Lord, but like the Levites I have changed the manner in which I serve. I’m praying about this, but in the meantime, I’m extremely grateful for the time off and God’s blessing it. I was worn to a frazzle. Thank you, Jesus!
Numbers 24
“This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more.”