A few days ago, I received a retirement check for $12.51. According to the letter with the check, my former employer was closing my retirement account and this was the entire amount that I had coming to me.
Now, how long do you think I can live on $12.51? I might be able to get a good meal at a family restaurant, but could I afford the gas to drive my car there?
Let me explain my situation. A few years ago, I had a part-time job. I only worked there about four months, but they set up a retirement account for me, like all the other employees. It was a 401K account controlled by an insurance company. Each pay day, a few dollars went from my paycheck into the retirement account and my employer matched my contribution. When I stopped working, I had an understanding with the company that I would come to work, if they needed me. So, they kept my name on their employment rolls. After an absence of a couple of years, they decided I wasn’t coming back to work. So, they closed my retirement account.
Now, my account had $52.51 in it, but the insurance company took $40 for an administrative fee. So, the insurance company got more of my retirement fund than I did. But, I wasn’t upset with their charges because I understood them. In fact, I thought the irony of the situation was funny.
No doubt, there are times when life can short-change us, regardless of whether our retirement fund is $52 or $520,000. Material wealth can vanish quickly. Just ask the folks who bought houses for $500,000 during the housing boom and now they are worth 25-50% less.
Not only is our wealth unreliable, but also we can’t put much confidence in our governments, either. The political and social climate is constantly changing. National and state economies fluctuate. Even the long-range forecast is uncertain.
On the other hand, we can put our full confidence in God and His Word. When everything else around us begins to shake like an earthquake, God is a solid, immovable rock.
The Old Testament prophet proclaimed God’s reliability when he wrote, But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. (Jeremiah 10:10, NIV) God and His Son never change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, NIV) God is a solid pillar of strength, even when everything else in life seems precarious.
God’s word is reliable, too. It is a dependable source of truth. Jesus acknowledged to the Father, …your word is truth. (John 17:17, NIV) The Bible reminds us, Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89, NIV)
So, when something happens to shake your world (and it will certainly happen), remember the One who never moves. Turn to God in prayer and read His word in faith. He will be your anchor in the storm.
In God we trust.
Phil
©2009 Philip Walter