The Comeback Part II

Evander Holyfield is back in the ring after retirement.  At age 46 he is fighting again.  Like George Foreman and the Greatest, Ali (from Louisville, KY) he realizes that the warrior's heart beats deep within his breast and he must dance to its beat or perish.  One cannot just walk away from the person that the Creator intended them to be. 

    My dad is 74 years old and is still a full-time pastor with a very full schedule, he stays much busier than me.  He gets a little touchy whenever I suggest he retire.  His reply is always the same, "What else would I do?"  That's why he's my hero.  He realizes what God wants him to do and intends to do it until God calls him home.  I pray that I have that same kind of dedication as the years go by.  But this entry isn't about my dad, it's about the "Comeback" from retirement. 

Unfortunately, not all Christians are like my dad-some retire from active service to the Lord.  There are many reasons Christians retire (this is a code word for quitting).  Some of these reasons include:

1.  They were never really Christians to begin with.  There is no way that you can be a born again believer in Jesus Christ and not want to serve Him and obey His commandments and be in fellowship with His people.

The "Comeback" strategy for this is simple.  Get saved!  You know in your heart whether or not you have been born again.  If you aren't then it's time to settle your eternal destination once and for all.  The Bible says in Romans 10.13, "for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."  Have you truly called upon Him and recieved His free gift of salvation?  (Romans 6.23) 

2.  People get tired and worn out.  Some Christians take on too much responsibility and wind up wearing themselves down and just burn out.  Or more frequently, a Christian tries to serve God and keep a full schedule of activities at the same time.  It will not work! 

The "Comeback" strategy in this scenario is two-fold: First,  you are going to have to let some things go.  If you are going to truly serve the Lord with all your heart, mind, strength and soul, then you will have to let some other things go.  It's tough to accept but it's the truth.  The Apostle John wrote these words from the Lord, "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  I John 2.15

    Secondly, get some rest.  Thist is the principle of the Sabbath.  In our effort to control our own destinies we often over work and fail to rest our minds, our bodies and our spirits.  Even God rested (Genesis 2.2).  Jesus rested and directed His followers to rest (Mark 6.31).

3.  Some Christians retire when things don't always go their way.  It's the old, "If we don't play my way, I'll take my ball and go home" attitude. 

To "Comeback" from this form of retirement requires only one thing: "Grow up aready!"  (see Hebrews 6.1)

4.  Some Christians retire when they become disillusioned with ministry.  It isn't a perfect world; you deal with imperfect and sinful people.  As the late Mike Yaconelli wrote, "Ministry is messy." 

To "Comeback" from retirement by disillusionment means to embrace the teachings of Galatians 5. 14-6.10.  Pay special attention to 6.9, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." 

5.  Some Christians think when they reach a certain age and can no longer physically or mentally keep up with their ministries that it is time to retire and just coast.  You hear it in the phrase, "I've put in my time; let the young people take over." 

This is one of the greatest tragedies in the modern church.  Yes, there comes a point in all our lives when the years catch up with us and we do slow down a bit.  However, the wisdom, experience and counsel of the "gray heads" among us is crucial to the kingdom of God.  The "Comeback" at this stage may be in more of an advisory or teaching capacity than in physical labors; but these ministries are vitally important within the Body and should not be neglected.  Read Titus 2 for the details of how to satge this "Comeback".  

Now more than ever there needs to be some "Comebacks" in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  Don't forget, He had the greatest "Comeback" ever when He came back from the dead.  His next one will be when He returns in power and glory to claim His people.  Are you ready to see Him?