I’m getting older. No big news in that, is there? We all are. But I’ve noticed one interesting thing as I age. And that is that I grow in self-confidence as time passes. Yet, age also brings certain concerns with it. We’ve never had a great deal of money come our way, which means our pension will be pretty tight. Something we could sit and worry about. But what’s the point?
Lean times and thin places
Worry has never changed anything, and it never will. That’s why we need to remember all the years we have to look back on.
Years of seeing God provide in impossible circumstances. Years of watching him take care, lead, and guide. And that can make us confident that he will continue to do so. He always has. He always will.
Sure, like many people, our retirement years will likely be pretty lean. But I’ve seen and learned that many of our greatest lessons and blessings have come through leanness.
Living in lean times means living in a thinner place.
Thinner wallets, thinner stuff, thinner menus… But it’s often in the thin places that we are able to feel closer to God, to hear his voice.
Thin places bring God closer
Or at least they can seem to. Not that he has ever moved – for he is ever constant and unchanging.
But our own need can often bring us to a place where we focus on him more. It can cut through a lot of our clutter (internal and external). Which makes the barrier between us and God grow thinner. The barrier we create by not cultivating closeness with him.
But tearing that barrier down can bring us to a place of greater abiding in his presence.
So yes, retirement for us will probably be a thin place. And that’s OK, because it lets me know that it will be a confident place too. A place of confidently looking to God and watching what I already know he is capable of doing. A place of confidently trusting him. And hopefully of drawing ever closer to him.
If you’re in a thin place, see it as God’s way of bringing you closer to him and increasing your faith! They are ordained by him for just that purpose.
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
Corrie ten Boom
Images: Zipper of heaven open by Pix und fertig | Sky by Konevi.
Signora Sheila 
When worries come, I go to the Father and find rest. Have a blessed day! 🙂
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Amen!
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Love that quote, and I agree with your entire post. 😊
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Thanks Linda. Corrie ten Boom is always great!
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Love the quote! So many good points, especially remembering God’s faithfulness in the past. Peace and blessings to you!
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Thanks so much Leigh! Corrie ten Boom was a woman of great wisdom and an amazing life! I’m so glad I got to meet you – what a blessing!
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I love this. It’s so true that when we think back on God’s faithfulness in the past, it gives us confidence to trust him for the future. I love the Corrie Ten Boom quote too!
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Thanks Lesley. I am finding that there are a lot of Corrie ten Boom fans out there. I know her books taught me a lot about trusting and have helped be more confident in moments where I seemed to have none. And I’m with you – there’s a lot we could write on confident. Maybe this should be a repeat prompt!
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LOVE THIS! Living in thin places. Recognizing our stuff doesn’t define us or really satisfy. Age is a wonderful leveler of all playing fields. Beautifully written, my friend. A wonderful reminder of what matters most. Jesus truly is our enough. And worry never helps anything!
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Thanks Dayle! Yes, age is a wonderful leveler. It changes so much, and it comes to us all – rich or poor, unseen or prominent. And yes, yes, yes – Jesus truly is our enough – and then some!! I love that thought!
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I think you’d enjoy Stuart Townend’s song “simple living”- it communicates something of what you’ve written here 🙂
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Wow Robert, I just found it on YouTube, and you’re right – it does! Thanks for sharing!
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I really like your comment about how in thin places there’s simply less clutter to cut through to reach God’s presence. That’s a great perspective to have. Thanks for sharing.
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Thin places is something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately, Eric. I so long to dwell in his presence. And if thin times is what it takes to get me into a thin place where I can be with him – then bring them on!! Nothing compares to his presence!! God bless!
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Excellent word Sheila! I have to remind myself of this often. Although not in full time ministry, with a large family and some choices made, I don’t have any retirement either. Yet, I know God will continue to provide when I do hit that age and time to retire. Thank you for sharing this.
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I know what you mean Tom! We had plenty of tough times even before entering “full time” ministry. Life can be difficult at times for us all. But thankfully, we have God’s loving arms always holding us up! I love your testimony and the things you share about how he is caring for you and your large family! Numbers make no difference to him!! God bless!
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