Leviticus 8:23-26  The LORD said to Moses, “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.” (NIV)

—

Retirement is not optional. The way we think about it is. 

Health and vitality have a lot to do with how long we work as we age. A family’s needs and an individual’s opportunities likewise play a part in the retirement equation. Another part of the equation is a person’s interest and ability to continue working, and the interest of those they work for and with in their continuing employment. 

In other words, retirement is not a black-and-white, easy-peasy decision. 

Transition is essential. Even when we continue working beyond generally accepted retirement milestones, the work we do and how we do it inevitably changes. We see this in today’s Bible verses. Young men brought their strong backs into this deeply meaningful work. Old men who had retired were still valuable in helping younger men learn what to do and how to do it. 

Teaching, training, mentoring, and coaching are highly valuable skills. These skills are learned and earned over time through repeated experience. Young leaders with an eye toward current competency and future excellence watch and listen to those who have been there and done that. 

Succession is a matter of preparation. Those who will serve next are equipped and trained. The organization is protected and strengthened. This wise guidance protects what is good and beneficial. It provides oral history to accompany written rules and instructions. 

Where are you in your employment life cycle? 

If you are nearer to the beginning, who is teaching, training, mentoring, and coaching you?

If you are nearer to retirement, who are you teaching, training, mentoring, and coaching?

If you are in the middle of it all, and the middle is the longest of the three timeframes of a typical employment journey, you should have both mentors and mentees. You are learning from the wisdom of those who’ve gone before you, and you are passing along to those behind you the wisdom you have gained so far. 

Make the most of your opportunities today. Stand on what you have learned and achieved. Do your best work yet today. Plan for what’s next and for what’s ultimate. Learn every day. Freely give the wisdom you have been given.

—

I will assess where I am, what I need, and who I can help as I live my employment journey. 

—

Our Father, equip us for what we need today. Empower us to pass along to others what we have learned. Grow us in knowledge and wisdom day by day that we may always have something to offer others at each stop along the way. Amen.