My point is that with this new freedom there can be the temptation to slack off all responsibilities, especially church responsibilities. Let the younger folk do the work and enjoy the freedom of not being tied down. And there is a legitimate freedom that comes with retirement

As one becomes older and nears the last quarter of the game, several temptations spring up. Most often we are unprepared for these temptations and therefore are often ensnared by them, at least to some extent.

One temptation comes in connection with free time. If retirement is an option, with that retirement there is a freedom not known since childhood perhaps. I sometimes think of the joys of my childhood some of which joys I did not appreciate at the time. One such joy was the lack of pressure and schedule. I recall lazy summer days when apart from a very few chores entire days lay open before me.

Sadly I too frequently complained of boredom and drove my parents slightly mad asking for permission to go here or there or to invite someone to spend the night. Now I see more clearly what a blessing it was to be free of stress and free of demands.

I doubt that I will ever retire apart from a loss of health or the counsel of my brethren that it is no longer profitable for the church that I continue in ministry. (Sometimes I do wonder if that time has already arrived and no one has the courage to tell me!)

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