Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

I’m grateful to have read Bob Buford’s book, Halftime (Zondervan) about what to do with the second half of your life. Written for successful business people who want to make their lives count, it argues that we should live on purpose for the whole of our lives, not just our life of employment.

I have reached the age traditionally associated with retirement. However, I anticipate quite some years of living left and have nothing like the financial resources to facilitate those years without continuing to work for financial return. Jayne and I both want to dedicate what’s left of our lives to serve God as fully as we can. We also need a modest income as I have no pension and Jayne entered the workplace later in life and so will enjoy only a small pension. We have huge experience in Christian ministry, management and the ‘people business’. So we can address the question, “What kind of retirement do we want?”

While what I describe may not suit you, the principle of looking ahead and making a plan in line with God’s call is sound. We know who we are. Jayne and I facilitate a course that enables people to find their primary identity. Mine is ‘Friend’ and Jayne’s is ‘Nurturer’. So we are certainly well-equipped for the people business. We also love working with those on the margins, or vulnerable. Jayne’s whole career has been working with adults with learning disability and their carers.

QUESTION: Micah identifies his primary identity as ‘Friend’. What is yours?

PRAYER: Help me to identify my primary identity and then make plans with you for my life, rather than let life organise me.