Ah, retirement. A time to finally kick back, relax, and pursue all those things you never had time for before. But for many, that initial thrill of freedom fades, replaced by a nagging emptiness. The calendar overflows with “me-time,” yet a deeper purpose seems elusive.
If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Countless retirees find themselves with an abundance of spare time, unsure how to fill it in a way that feels truly meaningful.
But what if I told you your free hours hold the potential to become a powerful tool for good?
This path of discovery starts with a simple question: could your spare time become a force for positive change in the world?
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The Allure of Spare Time, Followed by the Emptiness
Personally, I dove headfirst into retirement, thrilled to embrace my new freedom with wide-open arms.
Cross-country road trips with my husband became the new routine, the open highway stretching before us like a promise of endless adventure. Florida beckoned in the winter months, transforming us into blissful snowbirds. National and state parks became our playgrounds, each hike offering breathtaking scenery and a connection with nature.
My days filled with spare time weren’t just about travel. I tackled long awaited endeavors and wholeheartedly embraced each new challenge I set for myself. I taught myself the intricacies of website building. The world of holistic nutrition fascinated me, so I delved into a heavy-duty certification course. My kitchen became a haven of creativity as I studied the art of making delicious breads and fermented foods. Eventually, my husband found a truly amazing hobby that filled quite a bit of his spare time. Read about that here.
And of course, my nine precious grandchildren were woven into the fabric of my days. Every opportunity to spend time with them was cherished, their laughter and energy a constant source of joy.
Despite all this activity, a nagging feeling kept rearing itself up, like a sneaky shadow. While all of my pursuits were certainly enjoyable, they felt like individual threads, lacking a unifying purpose. Sure, they filled my time, but did they truly matter to me?
As the first couple of years of self-indulgence ticked by, I became more and more unsettled in my heart of hearts. Isn’t there more to life?
A Deeper Connection: From Self to Something More
My first turning point came unexpectedly, during a quiet moment of reflection. It dawned on me that my personal satisfaction wasn’t tied to my enjoyment of activities, but in the intentions and results around them.
This realization sparked a quest to truly make a difference in the world, to be much more intentional about fulfilling a deeper purpose. But how?
Little ole me isn’t all that brave! I’m not about to save the world on my own. My answer unfolded gradually, spurred by a powerful yearning to leave a positive impact on the world around me and not just indulge myself in things that are ultimately meaningless.
Prayer - A Higher Purpose
The fabulous thing about having unlimited spare time is that you will eventually put your distractions aside, whether they are electronics, TV, books or whatever, and just sit and reflect. In my case, I became very introspective about what God had in mind for me to do when He gave me life. I wanted answers. I wanted them very badly.
I felt helpless in reconciling my lofty dream to make a difference in the world with making bread and tinkering on my computer.
So I began praying.
Eventually, prayer became more than just a daily ritual of asking for help; it actually transformed into a continuous conversation with God.
Around this time, my Pastor gave a great message where he spoke about how Noah walked with God. It left a huge impression on me. It became my goal to walk with God, conversing with Him about the things that matter to Him. This practice has instilled in me what I like to call, “an eternal perspective”.
You and I may have a different view of what an eternal perspective means. To me, this means that I’m endeavoring to consider everything in life in terms of where it fits in the realm of eternity. What will matter in 10,000 years?
I am convinced that the things of God will still matter, but not so much my desire to purchase a new car or to put on a pretty outfit tomorrow – both meaningless in the realm of the eternal!
My little epiphany infused everything I experienced with renewed purpose. All of a sudden my pursuits became meaningful to me. Teaching myself web design became a way to create platforms for causes I cared about. My knowledge of holistic nutrition blossomed into a passion for helping friends and family live a more healthy life.
The joy of baking bread transformed into an earnest desire to show love by sharing it with friends and family instead of just devouring it up myself. Even spending time with my grandchildren became more satisfying due to an intense sense of purpose as I reinforced prayer, faith and values that their parents had been teaching them.
Lessons Along the Way
The Bible provided a treasure trove of wisdom on living a purposeful life. Passages like Micah 6:8 (“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”) resonated deeply.
The concept of “walking with God” wasn’t a one-time event; it was a continuous journey of seeking guidance and aligning my actions with His purpose. Verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (“pray continually”) offered further inspiration, urging me to weave prayer into every facet of my life.
Philippians 4:6 (“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”) became a guiding principle. Prayer wasn’t just about asking; it was about surrendering my worries and trusting in God implicitly.
The Transformation: From Restless to Fulfilled
This shift in perspective wasn’t just theoretical; it transformed every aspect of my life. The spare time doubts that had plagued me after my early retirement years faded, replaced by an ongoing sense of purpose.
My days are (usually) no longer a collection of random activities. On my best days they are imbued with a sense of contributing to something meaningful. On my worst days I can still flounder, but I know what I need to do to get back on track. It’s simple.
JUST PRAY
The joy of spending time with my grandchildren deepened. Sharing stories of faith and kindness became an integral part of our interactions. My newfound passion for healthy living inspired them to make better choices about food.
My creative pursuits took on a new dimension. My new technical skills have been useful for helping my church. My knowledge of holistic nutrition helps my family and friends here and there too. Look for the articles on this website if you’re interested!
Taking the First Step: Your Journey to Purpose
Perhaps you are like I was, filling your spare time with activities that feel empty at the end of the day. Please learn from me. I want to make a difference in lives and this is a major way you can be blessed.
Looking back, it wasn’t until I started regular prayer that things truly shifted. It wasn’t some magic bullet, but it opened a door to a relationship to our living God.
Prayer became a way to talk things out with him, to relieve my fears, seek guidance, get answers, and to find a sense of purpose that went beyond myself.
It might sound unreal to you now, but giving prayer a try – even a few minutes a day – truly could be the missing piece you’ve been searching for. You will be surprised by the peace and clarity it will bring.
There are no wrong ways to pray, just talk openly, share your worries and joys, ask your questions and see where it leads you. Who knows, maybe prayer can be the key to unlocking a whole new chapter not just in your retirement journey, but in your life, just like it did for me.
Learn to Pray in Your Spare Time:
Praying is absolutely simple and straightforward. However, I would like to share these tips to start you off a bit stronger:
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Seek Wisdom: King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, reminds us in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”) that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God’s will. Prayer allows us to seek that guidance and understanding.
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Walk with God: The Bible offers numerous examples of walking alongside God. Noah, in the book of Genesis, exemplifies this concept. He didn’t simply wait for instructions; he actively built the ark in obedience to God’s will. Prayer becomes a means of discerning the path God has laid before us.
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Learn from Jesus: No discussion of prayer is complete without considering Jesus’ teachings. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) provides a beautiful and simple framework for beginners.
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
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Conversation Over Formula: Remember, prayer doesn’t need to be lengthy or complicated or memorized! It can be a heartfelt conversation, expressing gratitude, voicing your needs, requesting His help for friends, relatives, countries and leaders, plus listening for guidance. Think of prayer as an ongoing chat rather than a scripted performance. Talk to God as you would your closest confidant, sharing your joys, fears and gratitude.
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Quieting the Mind: Creating a space for stillness within your busy life is important. Find a quiet moment and anticipate the peace you will find in this conversation. It doesn’t matter whether you are kneeling, standing or even jogging. The quiet and stillness I speak of is within your heart and mind.
I Encourage You: Share your skills, your story, your wisdom, and your kindness. Start small, and watch the ripple effects of your actions spread outward.
Spare time in retirement can be a time of incredible growth and fulfillment. Embrace the possibilities and begin on the best journey of your life that leads to purpose that will enrich you and the lives of all those around you.
A Life Transformed
Looking back, my retirement journey has been a beautiful metamorphosis. It wasn’t about filling every spare moment with activity, but about filling my life with purpose. It wasn’t about seeking personal gratification, but about contributing to a greater good.
This shift in perspective brought a profound sense of peace and fulfillment. It’s not about achieving some grand accomplishment; it’s about the everyday acts of kindness, the small ways we touch the lives of others.
I am still a work in progress, but I find joy and peace in knowing that I’m on the right road, finally!
Are you ready to embark on your own journey of purpose? Remember, it’s never too late to transform your life.
Take that first step. Pray for everything you think is wrong or broken. Share your talents. Offer a helping hand. You’ll be surprised at the joy and fulfillment that comes from using your spare time to make a difference in the world. Not only will God change the world, but He will change you too!
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Countless retirees are finding purpose and connection through service. Let’s create a ripple effect of good, one act of kindness at a time.
Resources
Personal Recommendations for Online Prayer and Bible
Note: Prayer aids provide you with written prayers to read each day, but I encourage you to pray and speak to God from your heart throughout the day as well!
- The Bible Project –
- APP – Another Great Bible in a Year reading. This one is animated. (I have used this and loved it.)
- Youtube – Great animated summary videos of Old Testament & New Testament on Youtube (I have used this and loved it.)
- DrAndrewC – Great Bible in a Year reading by an insightful pastor (this is my favorite bible in a year)
- Hallow – This is a paid Christian prayer app that offers audio-guided meditations, prayers, Bible readings, and music. (I have not used this, but I recognize that it is very popular.)
- Plough.com – Webpage that you can visit daily to read a prayer and a bible verse. (I have only used this a few times.)
- Pray.com – Daily prayers and bible stories. (I have not used this.)
- YouVersion App – Has guided daily prayers, a private prayer journal, plus full bible and guided bible study plans (this is my favorite all-around app)
