Answers
By BGEA Admin • October 9, 2023 • Topics: Aging, Work
Q:
Since we don’t know the future, how does one successfully plan for retirement? I can’t know if I’ll be healthy enough to travel, remain in my own home, or be diagnosed with a catastrophic disease that sends me to a nursing home. The unknown is paralyzing. I’ve learned by watching others try to navigate such uncharted territory but their decisions are not always the wisest.
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Life is full of changes, but one of the greatest comes with retirement. Many look forward to it; others dread it. Sooner or later almost everyone who lives long enough will experience it.
Many people are ill prepared for the realities of retirement, either viewing it unrealistically or refusing to think about it at all. The latter years will be filled with repeated changes and transitions. The decision to retire may mean adjusting to different daily routines. Declining health as the years pass, the loss of a spouse, or increasing dependence on others can also bring difficulties.
Some people spend their lives building ultimate dream homes so they can enjoy their twilight years. Some find themselves exchanging their bank accounts for residence within the gates of a retirement community. Others spend their last days in nursing homes. No one but God knows the future and it is important to make good decisions as we age. But more important is making the decision about our eternal home.
For the Christian the last mile of the way is a testimony to God’s faithfulness, for He said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Regardless of where we lay our heads at night, we should never delay the decision about where we go at the time of death. We don’t have to worry about how our journey ends if we have settled our eternal future with the only One who knows. Don’t be satisfied with anything less than God’s plan.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
