My group of old friends are all literally old. Basically, we are at the age that needs to talk seriously about retirement. We discussed various issues related to retirement – financial preparedness, post-retirement activities, etc. One of the issues was the ability to put down or letting go of the positions once enjoyed. The lost of identity is very real for some of them. Suddenly, one is no longer ‘important’ or ‘wanted.’ Though the discussion was light-hearted, it did bring out some dark aspects of retirement. This is especially so if you are not prepared to let go of your once status and everything that came with it.

There are those who look forward to retirement from the working world. Yet there are those who are not ready to give it up. So, when retirement hits, it is a difficult pill to swallow. The lost of many things – steady income, status, a structured work life (even though one has often complained about it) – is very difficult to face. A sense of lostness, even if you do not acknowledge it, takes over you.

So, many people who had not consciously prepare for this impending retirement scramble to search for meaning. Everything that was once so clear is now fuzzy and unclear. The need for clarity, acceptance and recognition has to be met. How do we go about it is important. Otherwise, we will become a ‘nuisance’ to others without knowing it. We may lie to ourselves that we are trying to help, but they do not want your help. We cause unnecessary troubles for the people that take after us when we do not let go and still try to strive for acceptance and recognition. Such are very prevalent in people holding high ranking positions and full-time pastoral staff in religious institutions.

My friends, the time will come when we have to bow out. The curtains will come down. Prayerfully, we will step down with grace and not “give trouble” to those after us. King David served faithfully in his generation. Likewise, we should do so. Then we step back and enjoy the fruits that we had cultivated while in active service to the Lord.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我的一群老朋友是真的已经老了。基本上，我们到了要认真谈论退休的年龄了。我们谈到了与退休相关的课题—财务的贮备，退休后的活动等等。其中一个的课题是愿意放手曾经称心如意的工作职位。对一些老朋友来说，失去身份是真实的。突然间，自己不再是重要或者被看重。虽然这是一次很轻松的谈论，却也看到了退休不乐观的一面。特别是如果还没有作好预备放下你的地位以及地位所带来的一切。

有一些已经期待从这一个工作的世界中退休。然而还有一些还没有准备好放手。这样，当退休的日子来到之际，这是难以接受的。对很多东西的失去—稳定的工资，地位，有规划工作生活（虽然你经常埋怨过），会是非常难面对的。失去的感觉，就算你不是很在意，也会吞噬你。

这样，很多人因为没有意识要为即将到来的退休作准备，因而要为所带来的混乱寻找其意义。以前本来是清楚，现在却是变成模糊和不清楚。当务之急是急需对此课题的澄清、接受和认知。我们要如何做很重要。不然，我们不意识它将会是他人的“麻烦”。我们会骗自己说我们可以对他人提供帮助，但是，他们不需要我们的帮助。当我们还不愿意放下以及拼尽全力死抱住接纳和认知，我们将会带给那些关心的人不必要的麻烦。这在那些持有高职位和在宗教团体里全时间的教牧人员的身上是很普遍的。

我的朋友，我们鞠躬的时刻将会临到。幕也将会下垂。期盼我们以感恩的心退下来，而不是带给后辈麻烦。大卫王忠心的服事他的时代。照样的，我们也应当如此。这样，我们退下来的时候就能享受我们在全职服事主所获得的果子。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong