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But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21

 

As many of you know, Peggy and I are about to close on a lake home near Hardy, Arkansas, that will serve as our retirement home when I finally retire. That day is probably about four years away. But we thought it would be smart to plan, have a home purchased, and rent it out as an Air BnB or VRBO short-term rental until that day arrived.

 

For most of my life, I’ve dreamed of living on a small lake, where I could walk out the back door and a few minutes later have a fishing line in the water. There is something so peaceful about living on a lake surrounded by nature, with very few neighbors around. I look forward to the day when Peggy and I can lose ourselves in the serenity of that lake.

 

So, how will that all play out? Will time prove that we made a wise investment or a foolish one? To be honest, I don’t know. Only time will tell. As with everything of this world, there will likely be some things that disappoint us. There will likely be some things we wish we could go back and take a mulligan on, but, of course, that’s not how life works. But here’s what I know for sure. Even if the house or the lake or the town of Hardy don’t pan out quite as well as we’d hoped, we know it won’t steal our joy, our peace, or our sense of contentment, because those things are not of this world. Our joy, our peace, and our contentment are a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ, and nothing of this world or in this world can steal that.

 

Have you planned for your retirement? I’m not talking about your retirement from work, or your IRA, your bank account, or your stock portfolio. I’m not talking about your retirement home, or travel plans, or all the ways you plan to spend your free time. I’m talking about when you retire from this world, and the Lord calls you home. Will you be ready? Have you invested your faith in Jesus Christ so that you know He has you and will never let you go? 

 

Read again Philippians 3:20-21: But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

 

Do you know that you are a citizen of heaven? Are you secure in the fact that your faith in Jesus Christ has already secured that identity for you? Are you anxiously awaiting the second coming of Jesus, looking forward to the transformation He will accomplish in you? If you don’t feel secure in your ultimate retirement, take the time now to become secure. Open your heart to Jesus Christ and invite Him to be Lord of your life. If you will do that one simple thing, heaven and all its blessings are yours.

 

Wishing you a joy-filled remainder of summer and a blessed ultimate retirement,

 

Love in Christ,

Pastor Dave