Retiring INTO The Mission Field

The vast majority of people retire from the workforce in their mid 60’s. However, I have a sister who is retiring into the mission field. After working in the healthcare industry for years, and with her husband passing away, she asked God to give her a new direction for her life. At her age, she has answered God’s call to be involved in a missions and discipleship ministry with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). After training, where she will be going is unknown, but the point is she is going. Matthew 28:19-20 says to “go and make disciples of all nations…” Every Christian has been called to a ministry of reconciliation, and this does not stop when we retire from a secular vocation. 1 Corinthians 5:18-19 says, “God through Jesus Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that is in Christ. God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

My sister, who for years has produced beautiful arts and crafts, wrote, “We have been selected for our roles in this world. Our identities are part of his master plan. Every artist, whether it is visual, painting, theater, music, craft work, or other types of art is given the ability to share God‘s love to others. We can be artists who boldly produce art that honors Jesus Christ and initiates fearless discussions about his love for mankind. We do not need to go with the existing worldview of the secular art community. We need to swim upstream to lead the way for other Christian artists.” Her long-term goal is to be part of a worldwide consortium that shares the gospel through art, called “C.A.S.T.,”which stands for “Christian Artists Students and Teachers.”

With every calling, I believe God will give a confirmation, so that people will not make decisions based upon feelings alone or according to their own plans. My sister received her confirmation when she went on the organization’s website and read words similar to what she had written previously: “Come experience what it means to co-create with your creator and impact people, culture and nations with your art.”

Are you a Christian in your senior years? As you will be leaving your secular profession consider what God would have you do with all the time you now have. What kind of role will you play in his global cast of characters using the gifts he has given you?  You are never too old to see God‘s plan unfold. If you are retired, God may have a new exciting direction for your life. As my sister said, “Nothing is boring with God.”

I trust this article has been an inspiration to you, to continue in your senior years with a new  vision for what God wants you to do. “Seniors, are you retiring or recharging?” is the name of a book I published. Recharge and retire into the mission field God has for you. It may not be  overseas or with an organization, but it could be doing something in your own locality.