Change and Transformation

Over the past year or so, I have been experiencing much change and transformation in my life - because of the people who have crossed my path.  I've been fortunate to be able to spend time with lots of folks in the generation before me, and learn from their priceless life stories.  In particular, I've been in the presence of folks who are retired, but in name only.  See...I have a certain picture in mind of what I would like to experience - if I am blessed to live long enough and am able to retire.  I see a time when I can casually face each day.  Start out with a cup of coffee and the newspaper.  Eat a late breakfast.  Read some more.  Maybe write some music.  Travel.  Visit with family and friends.  Wash a car or two.  All the above.  None of the above.

But many of the retired people I've encountered over this past year or so are living a retirement that doesn't look much like what I would consider retirement (until now).  See...these people are busier than ever.  And they're not busy for busyness sake.  They're busy giving, serving, teaching, sharing compassion, and sacrificing their time - all for the sake of making someone else's life a little better.  I've often joked with these good folks, saying things like, "I sure don't want to retire like that!  That doesn't seem like retirement to me."  I'll admit, I had a hard time wrapping my nugget around this.  I guess I had bought into the idea that life was about working hard for many years, and then slowing down and taking it easy in my golden years.  Not that there's anything wrong with working hard, and taking some time for self in retirement.

I got caught up in a vision that I created.  But God has been showing me a vision that He's Created.  And God's picture scared me and threatened me.  It threatened my way of thinking and acting.  But after spending lots of time with people, and listening to their stories, and serving with them, and seeing the changes and transformations that occur because of genuine selfless giving, I got inspired.  I realized that God is never done with any of us.  We're never too young or old to make a difference in people's lives.  And being involved with people - living in relationship - is how God works miracles, change, and transformation.

Every day, I see the gap between those who are rich and those who struggle to survive.  And I continue to be surrounded by folks who give of their time, effort, energy, money, and love in order to help usher in change and transformation.  I still hope to retire someday.  But now, I hope I can retire in a way that allows me to offer the relentless, self-giving love of God in fabulously crazy ways.  And when I do, I believe that people will see how close God is to us, and will experience how real God is in this world.