Signpost: Transitions

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.  - Romans 12:1 NIV

My impending retirement form a banking career that spans 36 years has brought feelings of joy and excitement.  But in the last couple of days, I've found myself reaching out to a few people to say goodbye.  And frankly it caught up with me, for yesterday I woke up feeling a little blue.  Given the circumstances, it was a strange feeling that was hard to shake.

Fortunately, I knew that I needed to go to church last evening and worship.  I got there a little early, and as customary, our senior pastor was sitting at the platform quietly studying his notes.  I don't like to disturb him when he's doing that, but I did say hi. He asked how I was doing, and I told him I was feeling a little weird.  After a moment, it was apparent to both of us that I was feeling a little bit of grief over my retirement.  That's only natural.

The worship team took the stage and the music soon started.  The second song grabbed my attention.  It was being sung by the female soloist, and she was doing a marvelous job.  She is a friend with whom I've become acquainted in just the last couple of months, but this was the first time I've heard her lead a song; her voice was amazing!  Although it was a song I've heard perhaps a hundred times, I can't tell you the title or even the exact words.  But it hit me like it never hit me before, as if I was hearing it for the very first time.  The words were meant for me in that moment.  I felt the assurance of God holding me tight, knowing that He was with me, and that He had been there all along, preparing me all these years for this next chapter of my life.

The message this weekend was based on Romans 12:1-3.  And it became clear to me - especially the first verse - what the purpose of my retirement was all about.  And what I get to do in this new chapter of my life.  Of course!  I can sum it up with one verse: Romans 12:1. I felt the joy again!

I woke up today feeling positive.  Though bittersweet, the time is fast approaching when I must move on.  Tomorrow marks the last day of a long career.  I stand at the banks of the Jordan awaiting the signal to cross into the Promised Land!