As I neared retirement, I was apprehensive about what I would do. The world has a view of retirement that differs significantly from the biblical view of service to The Kingdom. Many who follow the world’s egocentric advice end up being bored, isolated, and purposeless.
Contrastingly, Christians recognize Solomon’s counsel in Proverbs 16:9: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Two years ago, I retired as a mass communication professor at Georgia Southern University. I was blessed with good health and could have kept on, but after forty years in the classroom, and lots of prayer, I was at peace with retiring.
Need for a Plan
My wife previously had said, “You can’t leave angry, and you must have a plan for what you’ll do next.” As it turns out, just as the Lord had a plan for my academic years (Jeremiah 29:11), he had a plan for retirement as well.
During my academic career, I enjoyed the challenges of teaching, research and writing. So, I knew I couldn’t spend the future just being self-serving. Providentially, four years before retiring I had accepted the invitation to launch a Faculty Commons group on our campus.
Trials, but Great Rewards
Prior to that, I had prayed for an opportunity to spread the gospel at this institution and engage with Christian colleagues in fellowship. Much like Paul’s charge to Timothy, Faculty Commons presented me with such an opportunity. What a blessing!
Faculty Commons offered not only a chance to develop the ministry but to provide a new purpose for retirement. There have been trials on this journey, but also great rewards. Faculty members have come and gone from our group, but each year new faculty join us. I could have stepped aside from this position when I retired, but the Lord made it possible to keep shepherding the group.
More Time and Freedom
There are numerous positives to the situation. I have more time and freedom to invite faculty to join, plus I can do so without fear of conflicts of interest. I coordinate events, disciple faculty one-on-one, and lead studies with multiple groups that are at different stages of spiritual development.
Simultaneously, and to my surprise, the Lord also opened doors to utilize my academic expertise. I narrate Christian audiobooks and read news for a statewide vision-impaired radio audience.
Investing in Spiritual Lives
The words of C. S. Lewis continually encourage me: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
Being involved with Faculty Commons during retirement allows me to continue investing in the spiritual lives of faculty and spread the gospel further at this university.
Just as he had for me, God has important plans for every Christian’s retirement. We may retire vocationally, but we do not retire from Christian service. In 2 Tim 4, Paul says he has “finished the race and has kept the faith.” Retirement may provide each of us with even more opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission than it did while we were in the classroom.
Reed Smith
Communication Arts
Georgia Southern University