Retirement: A Time of Purpose and Impact
Think about the word “retirement.” What do you picture in your mind? What is important to you?
One survey[1] found that the average retirement-aged American wanted three things in retirement:
- Financial freedom
- Flexibility
- Fun – particularly spending time with family, relaxing, and traveling
Personally, I can identify with these desires and think they are worthy goals to pursue. Retirees should have a financial plan that can see them through retirement. This is a responsible goal that also brings peace of mind and allows for the flexibility that retirees also want. (If you don’t have a financial plan, we can help you with that!)
Enjoying retirement should also be a goal! Finding activities you enjoy and spending more time with family and friends is something we all can picture in retirement.
But is that all retirement can be? When you think about “retirement” I hope additional things come to mind – things like purpose and impact.
In his book Stepping Up, Dennis Rainey writes,
For those of you who are over fifty-five years old – and especially if you are retired – I have a tough question: If you’re finished making a difference, then why are you here?
Do you think your best days are behind you? Do you think you don’t have anything else to give? Are you going to believe the culture that thinks you should clip coupons, collect seashells, and spend your kids’ inheritance?
Or on the other hand, wouldn’t you love to be able to articulate your mission for the years you have left? Wouldn’t you like to know and feel noble about what you’re living for?[2]
Though writing to men, Rainey’s exhortation applies to both men and women: our families, communities, and culture desperately need your wisdom, knowledge, stories, and life experience!
Consider a few things the Bible has to say on this subject:
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. (Job 12:12)
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:12-15)
O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)
Yes, enjoy grandkids, travel, find new hobbies but as you are doing so, renew your purpose and press in to the influence you have. You have something valuable to offer. You may find that purpose adds an unbelievable sweetness to financial freedom, flexibility, and fun.
Are you willing to use retirement to invest in future generations? You have significant potential to have an impact and leave a lasting legacy on your family and community.
References:
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2017/05/26/3-things-most-americans-want-in-retirement-and-how-to-get-them/?sh=7d860c2534bc
[2] Rainey, Dennis. Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood. FamilyLife Publishing, 2011. (p. 176)