Twenty years ago, I stepped away from a forty-year ministry and entered another chapter of my life. I had no idea God would grant me two more decades of good health and meaningful ministry. The years between 62 and 82 have been the most enjoyable of my life. I’ve been thinking about some of the reasons I’ve experienced such a blessed retirement, and I hope my conclusions will be helpful to others who are nearing that phase of life.

1. Don’t look back. Once I walked away from the church, I never second-guessed my decision or pined for the old days of being a local pastor. I have lived in the precious present.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

2. Stay in touch with family and old friends.When your routine changes you can slowly drift away from familiar relationships. Be intentional about maintaining contact with friends and relatives. Two years ago, my wife established a texting train for the 21 members of our immediate family. It has been amazing how, though separated by many miles, we’ve grown closer because family members simply text a picture or describe an experience they’ve just had. Be intentional and stay in touch.
3. Develop some new friends.As you move through the retirement years you’re saddened when some old friends move away, or become too frail to remain active, or die. If you don’t develop new friends your circle of relationships shrinks – and so do you. I’m very thankful for lifelong friends but some folks we now share meals and travel with were made in the last twenty years.
4. Laugh a lot.The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”(Proverbs 17:22) Laughter lifts our spirits and helps heal our bodies. Conversely, grouchiness poisons the attitude and the soul and alienates others. I look for the humorous things in life and exploit them.
5. Have a purpose for every day.I’d hate to wake up with nothing to do. I write a blog every week. I lead six ministers’ retreats a year. I often meet with younger preachers for lunch. I preach 35-40 times a year. I have more than enough to do every day. Few things cause people to shrivel up and die more quickly than having nothing to live for.
6. Avoid complaining like a plague.As we age our aches and pains increase. So do our disappointments with people and the culture. But here’s the truth. No one wants to hear how much you hurt, your latest operation or political complaints. Confess your problems to your doctor and your mate—when they’re asleep! Otherwise, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”(Philippians 2:14)
7. Deepen your walk with the Lord.Now that you’re not as rushed, begin each morning with a deliberate study of Scripture and an unhurried conversation with God on your knees. Psalm 1 promises that the one who meditates on God’s Word will be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”(Psalm 1:3)
8. Be confident the best is yet to be.Prominent minister and Yale professor Halford Luccock once stated, “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.” How can you enjoy your last days without the hope of eternal life? Jesus promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”(John 11:25)

I find myself quoting 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 often: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

9. Become increasingly generous with your resources.You might as well, you can’t take it with you. You’ll discover it’s a lot more fun to give money away than it is to accumulate it—and you’ll have a whole lot more friends! Jesus said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”(Luke 16:9)
10. Make an effort to stay physically fit.Scripture reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with care. I go for an hour of fitness three times a week. I don’t look any thinner, but it helps my balance and agility. If I’m fairly fit, I’m more likely to ward off diseases that can threaten my joy and limit my opportunities to serve.
11. Have a hobby that gives you short-term hopes.I look forward to playing golf once a week and watching University of Louisville football, basketball, and baseball games. It’s been said everyone needs someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.
12. Continue to nurture your marriage.What makes my retirement the greatest is that I happen to have a wonderful wife who loves, supports and encourages me. I realize I’m uniquely blessed and that’s mostly out of our control, but I give God thanks daily for 61 years of a good marriage. That means my wife merits attention and encouragement.
13. Stand firm for God’s truth as lovingly as you can and don’t worry about the critics.Our world is so polarized, and people are so easily offended that seniors are tempted to avoid anything controversial. That’s boring, cowardly, and disobedient. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world”and “let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:14, 16) The world needs wisdom that comes primarily from the Bible but also from personal experience, so don’t hide your light under a bushel. Speak the truth in love—but speak the truth and be more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing people.

Recently, Carl Kuhl quoted a line often attributed to Count Zinzendorf: “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.” That sums up what life is ultimately about. And when we’re fulfilling our purpose, we can enjoy every day God gives, confident that we will soon hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant! … Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)