“All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I give it my light.” (John 9:4-5 The Living Bible)
I have not worked full-time in a non-church job since 2011. I have not taught at the local university since 2015. I have been a senior or lead pastor since 1990. I have written daily meditations since 2017. When October of this year comes, I will entering a co-pastoring relationship until the end of September in 2025.
Recently I told someone I was going to start looking for a job. That person asked me, “Why? Why do you have to work?” My first answer was that I wanted to my spouse and I to be able to continue supporting the church at or near the same financial level after she retires sometime in the future. I even told the “someone” that I will continue to teach and preached as asked, and I would continue to send Mark Writes out daily in 2025, Lord willing, to my email lists, but not the blog.
After thinking about it, I should have responded to the question, “Why do you want to work?” with, “What He said,” referring to Jesus’ words above. I think all believers should take the position that there is no retirement in regard to kingdom work. What we do might change, but we still must “do the work” as long as we live.
I hope this moves you to keep on being steadfast and unmovable as the verse below admonishes you. Have a great Saturday, and don’t forget to put attending church on your calendar for tomorrow, Sunday! Be blessed!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58 King James Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King