This is crazy to me, but I am actually in the crunch of retirement planning! Where did the time go? No matter where it went, it’s here now, staring me in the face, challenging me to a showdown…lol!
“A wise man saves for the future.” Proverbs 21:20
What does this have to do with my testimony of depression-recovery through Christ, you may ask?
Well, one of the things the Lord has been teaching me is the deeper meaning of how the enemy likes to steal from us.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Let me explain…I’m a planner (well, most times). Spending so much time in the darkness of Satan’s lies about me, kept me from thinking of a whole lot of other stuff, retirement planning being one of them.
But God! Another thing I’m being shown is how the Lord has His hand over us throughout the process, especially when our faith is non-existent (MERCY!).
Flashback…One day at work, a colleague and I were assisting with a case and he struck up a conversation about the retirement accounts our institution offered (ohhhkay, where did that come from?). But I listened. I’d never really paid attention to the retirement plan verbiage in the brochures during our annual ‘Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs’, I mean, I was young and had many years before having to worry about that.
He, in the most kind way, broke down the different accounts, how they worked, and why now was the time for me to get in on it, even though retirement seemed very distant. I promise you he was NOT an HR rep, nor a CPA! He was a respiratory therapist giving me unsolicited, free, sound, retirement advice.
Let me tell you, that conversation changed my life. (God is in the life-changing business in every aspect of our lives).
Does God care about our finances? You bet your bottom dollar He does! (PUN INTENDED..haha)
Does He own the cattle on a thousand hills? Ohhhh, yeah! (Psalm 50:10)
Well, after that conversation, I began studying up on the different retirement plans offered, and changed some things during the next open enrollment period. I wouldn’t say I was a scholar in retirement planning, but that started my journey on the road to financial literacy; a road I’d been avoiding, believing I was too young to travel it.
Fast forward…Me, looking at my ‘Are You Ready for Retirement’ numbers grid, dropping my head on my desk, yelling, “Why didn’t you start sooner?!?!” Then having a financial planner show me I’m actually in a really good place.
It’s then that I think about how the Holy Spirit used my coworker to thwart the devil’s plan to put me down and keep me there all my life!
None of us knows what tomorrow brings, but the Lord does command us to do business (occupy) until He returns. We are to be good stewards with the time, and money, given to us.
“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13
In the past, I spent most of my time occupying my mind with the lies of the enemy instead of the promises of God. When we do this, it robs us of joy in many areas of our life.
The Lord used my coworker, and I listened, not knowing exactly why (Holy Spirit impressing us both). And in that moment, my whole positioning on retirement shifted. That encounter so many years ago affected me today. And that was during a time when I was convinced God hated me!
Oh, how patient He is with us!
Suddenly realizing how God’s hand worked for my good during times when I thought he was absent, always humbles and excites me! And I want to pay it forward.
Over the next few months, I’ll be vlogging conversations with my friend, Sandy Wideman, registered nurse and licensed financial professional.
You’re going to want to tune in because no matter your age, or stage of life, she has some sound financial nuggets for you! 💵
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33
“They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23
Watch the first financial episode here.