Then Asa rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of his father David. And Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king. – 1 Kings 15:24

Today's Scripture Reading (December 30, 2022): 1 Kings 15

Retirement is a hard decision. I struggle with the concept of when that day should come. Of course, that partially depends on several issues like health, your ability to do whatever you are retiring from, financial considerations, and how much you enjoy whatever you are doing. But possibly the one issue toward which we don't direct enough attention is "what will you do after you retire?" What is next? It is not just athletes retiring in their late thirties or early forties who must make that decision. (Hockey's Gordie Howe played until the age of fifty-two, but he was a sports exception.) But we all must decide what comes next. I have several writing tasks I desperately want to give more attention to that I just don't seem to have time to work on as long as I am doing all that I am doing now. I also have some fun projects on which I want to work. But I don't want just to fade away.

But more than anything, I hope that I finish well. Maybe it is just recognizing that life doesn't end at retirement. As long as we are well enough to make a difference, we need to make that difference, even if we have retired from our jobs. And we have some great examples to follow. Queen Elizabeth was a remarkable example of someone who finished well. The British Queen made a difference during her reign. Even her critics often seem to point to things that happened before her reign or point to things that have happened since her death, like the Netflix Harry and Megan documentary and Harry's upcoming book, "Spare," that have damaged her legacy. And I have to admit that I think such criticisms are unfair.

Another great example of finishing well is the life of former American President Jimmy Carter after his time in the White House. Regardless of where you might stand regarding his one-term presidency or politics, Carter has been one of the best examples of what a former President can accomplish to change the world after his time in the Oval Office had ended. He has worked hard to try to finish well.

 Like all of the Kings who reigned before him and those who would come afterward, Asa had an expiry date. The day eventually comes for all of us when we will "rest with our ancestors." The day comes when we all have to step off the stage because our time in this spotlight has ended. And at that moment, those close to us will evaluate our legacy and decide whether we have finished well.

Asa died, but unfortunately, a reign that started well did not end that way. Ultimately, he trusted more in his material possessions than in his God. As a result, Asa's legacy was tarnished, not because of how he lived but because of how his life ended. May we learn from his example and finish differently.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 13