To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

 

 

Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.  I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."  This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel .

   But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say."   When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

   Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 2 Samuel 17:1-7 NIV

 

   When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. 2 Samuel 17:23 NIV

 

Ahithophel had attained a lofty position as advisor to Absalom.  It had taken him quite some time to get there.  One doesn’t become a trusted advisor to a leader over night.  You have to work at it.  And you have to be right every time you speak.  Ahithophel was such a trusted advisor, it was said that "the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God."  Even David trusted what he had to say.  (2 Samuel 16:23 NIV)  But Ahithophel was doomed to fail, because David had asked God to make Ahithophel’s advice seem foolish to Absalom.  David didn’t ask God to make Ahithophel’s advice itself foolish, only to make it seem foolish.  And it did.  Suddenly, what he said no longer mattered.  After years of being respected and admired, suddenly no one cared what Ahithophel said.  So he went home and killed himself.

 

Can you relate to Ahithophel’s feelings?  I can.  When my youngest son left home to go to college, I felt incredibly lost and alone.  For twenty years, my primary focus in life had been rearing children.  Oh, I had worked, and I had friends and hobbies and ministries at church.  But my main focus… my central effort… was over.  No more prodding someone to do his homework.  No more fussing at someone to clean his room.  No more discipline.  No more house full of noisy boys.  No more meals I had to fix at a certain time.  No more hugs every morning and every night.  I felt totally useless.  What good was I to anyone?  Did anyone at all need me any more? 

 

The same thing can happen to the person who retires from a life-long career.  For years you are respected and admired for your work.  Your advice is sought by all your subordinates.  Your thoughts are respected and admired.  Your successes are used as examples for your peers.  The challenge of each day is what keeps you going.  And then one day you find that you don’t need to set your alarm.  No one will care if you sleep in.  No one needs your expertise on a matter.  Nothing is urgent.  The greatest challenge you have is improving your golf stroke.  No one really needs you any more.  Right?

 

Wrong!  I found that my children do still need me – in a different way.  But they need me just the same.  And now, because I don’t have children demanding most of my time and attention, I’m free to do more things that will benefit others outside my family than I was during those twenty years of mothering.  The retired person, too, can finally have time to really minister to those around him, to find purpose and challenge in serving Jesus full time that is even more fulfilling than his career has been. 

 

When a door in your life closes – no matter what kind of door – look for the window that God opens for you.  There are limitless possibilities for what you can do with your life, no matter how useless you might feel.  If you have a pulse, God has a purpose for you.