REDEEMING THE TIME
POINTS TO PONDER AS A RETIRED PERSON
Let’s consider retirement time. It’s a season in life when we first do what we have to do as far as daily chores and commitments, and then we have time for choices, when we can do what we feel like doing – free time. What we do with our free time will be different for each of us. Let’s see what research tells us about seniors today, and what direction we can get from the Bible.
STATISTICS ABOUT RETIREES (from booklet Aging Well @ 2023 by Barna Group):
24% of seniors are unchurched
54 % of seniors feel life has meaning and purpose
24% seniors feel their church helps them find meaning and purpose in life
25% feel valued by society
19% feel their church provides opportunities to contribute to their community
HOW SENIORS SPEND THEIR TIME
If one retires at 65 most people will live another 18 years – 6,500 days
Sleep and personal care activities occupy about 10.18 hours daily for retirees age 75 and older, the highest among all age groups. (statistics from USNews, 9/6/24)
Many retirees continue working part time, spending an average of 1.42 hours per day on paid work or income-generating activities.
4.2 hours a day are spent watching TV by seniors (more by men than women)
75% of those above over 65 use the internet. Of those about 86% spend a minimum of 6 hours a day online. Face book is the most popular social media platform for seniors. 88% of adults 55+ watch You Tube on a weekly basis.
54% of seniors play online games daily
That leaves retirees to enjoy nearly seven hours of leisure time per day, according to data from the American Time Use Survey (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Retirees use this time for volunteering, socializing and engaging in hobbies like reading and home maintenance, spend more time on these than younger groups.
REFLECTING ON HOW WE SPEND OUR TIME.
Which of these statements can you relate to:
- My calendar is full
- I wish I had more time to ________________
- I schedule my time very carefully
- I feel overbooked – too many activities
- Physical restraints are a factor keeping me from doing some things I’d like to do
- Church activities take up a lot of my time
- My family takes up much of my time
- Sometimes I feel guilty or have regrets about the way I spend some of my time
- I feel that I generally use my time productively
- A lot of my day is taken up by screen time
DIRECTION FROM THE BIBLE
For those 7 hours of free time, 1 Cor. 6:12 and I Cor. 10:23 tell us that “all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable (wholesome, helpful when compared with other things)”.
Eph. 5:16b “Make the most of your time, buying up each opportunity. (Amplified Bible). Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for His purposes.” (Passion Version). Another translation tells us to “redeem the time.”
We all have different talents, interests, abilities and responsibilities that direct our use of time.The Bible is not saying that everything we do has to be judged or that “redeeming the time” is something that will contribute to our salvation. Instead, it is advice that is useful and beneficial, something that will result in giving us purpose and meaning in life that results in a true sense of joy. This is in contrast to happiness which like a tasty meal, a good movie, or winning a computer game, depends on what happens at the moment and is easily forgotten.
We could think or our time as a precious gift that God has given us. When it is used according to His will it’s like redeeming a coupon and receiving something of lasting joy.
WAYS TO USE MY TIME
Eph, 2:10 tells us that we are created in Christ for good works which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Each individual will discover different ways to fulfill God’s directions for life in use of time. Here are some ways that apply to all:
PRAYER.
Col. 4:2,5. Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart…live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity (your time) Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.
The disciples were devoted (committed, dedicated) to prayer. Acts 1:40, 2:42, Romans 12:12. The words always, without ceasing, and at all times, were used in Col.1;3, Phil.1:4, 1 Thess.5:8, and Eph.6:18.
We are encouraged to pray for wisdom, for the sick, for authorities, for salvation, for our enemies and those who persecute us. To pray in the Spirit, in faith, with joy, with thanksgiving, with persistence.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Eph. 6:17b Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (the Word is the part of the Armor of God which is given to us to help us resist temptation.)
1 Peter 2;1-2: Putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.
2 Tim.3:15-17: From a child you have known the holy writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
VOLUNTEERING.
Something that we can do that is profitable and does redeem the time is volunteering. That urge we feel to help others stems from our new life. The Bible does give us ideas on how to direct that urge. There are opportunities in the church and in your community.
1.Community choices include the Community Kitchen, the Food Bank, the Library Book Sale, Meals on Wheels, Largo Vista mentoring, and others.
2.Many opportunities for service are included in the Immanuel activity booklet.
You are probably aware that loneliness is at epidemic levels in our country. Could part of God’s plan for you involve visiting a shut-in? Don’t know how to identify someone or what to say on a visit? You could become a Stephen Minister or simply visit with and listen to someone who is lonely. It can be a two-way blessing and a joy.
PASSING THE FAITH ALONG TO FUTURE GENERATIONS:
Deut 4:9. You must not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves and tell your children and grandchildren as well.
ADVICE
1.Don’t just retire from something, but to something.
2.Purpose in life is more than just finding something to occupy time, it is pursuing goals and interests that center around self-development, growth and connecting with others.
3.Our goal is not just to live longer, but to enjoy, find meaning, purpose, quality in life doing what brings joy, positive attitude, peace, to change behavior and habits to enjoy this new phase of living.
4.Without purpose we feel lost, empty. With purpose we feel more active and have a lower risk of heart disease and death.
5.If quality of life begins to wane, yet days go on and on, there’s divine purpose in that, because God has ordained these days. Ps. 31:15a
CLOSING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Psalm 90:10 ff Seventy years are given to us. Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these years are filled with pain and troubles, soon they disappear and we are gone…Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so that we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Replace the evil years with good. Let us see your miracles again. Let our children see Your glorious might… Lord our God, may Your blessings be with us. Give us success in all we do.
Psalm 31:14,15a. I trust in you, LORD; You are my God. My times are in your hands.
These points assembled by Sue Found, April 2025
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