philosphy of retirement

I want to share something I learned on Friday, a philosophy of retirement.

I was getting a ride with Henry and Amanda, an elderly couple who volunteer with the same ministry as I do. I had never had a conversation with them before, but I hope I will always remember what they said as we drove between the church and King's. The ministry that we're involved in is all about becoming friends with primarily Chinese University students who are doing everything from studying mechanical engineering to performing heart transplants in the University hospital. We teach them English and help them understand our faith for the first time. Henry commented that, at 86 years of age each, they are the oldest couple working with the ministry, and then he explained why. "As Christians, we're never meant to stop working for the Lord. Our mode of work might change, but we've been called to share Him with others for as long as we have breath." They were missionaries in India for about 30 years, and would have stayed there until they died except that they knew it would be hard on their children and grandchildren to be so far away. So, they moved to Edmonton and now are as busy as ever serving Him in new ways. "We've been too busy to get frail," commented Amanda. This makes me realize that I am still young and vivacious, so how can I justify squandering my time on selfish pursuits? Now I'm not saying dropping out of school and never taking a rest is the best thing as education and sabbaths are both good, but in whatever I do it's important to be "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). A speaker I heard last month asked a question, and now I want you to ponder it:

What are you doing with your life that will last for eternity?