Still Worth Something

Re-imprinting the King's Image in Retirement

I recently found a note I wrote during a sermon by a former pastor many years ago.

He made the analogy that when we become Christians, we are like a newly-issued ancient coin, imprinted with the image of the king or emperor. When we are first minted, we are shiny and new, and the image of the king is clear upon us.

But over time, we get worn down. The image of the king is rubbed off by the transactions of the world. The king’s impression becomes less clear or visible.

The pastor said that the value of ancient coins was based on their weight. Older coins became less valuable over time as the metal was rubbed off, reducing their weight.

He challenged us to consider how we keep the image of the king bright, clear, and visible upon us.

(And by “king,” I’m pretty sure he meant “Jesus,” just in case that wasn’t clear.)

A Sharper Image

Reading that note made me think how easy it might be to believe that when we retire, we are like old coins with the king’s image worn down in our lives. It can be easy to follow the world’s plan to make retirement about leisure or rest with little regard to our spiritual growth.

But I believe God is eager to see his image sharpened when we reach this stage of life. I believe there’s no better opportunity than retirement to restrike the king’s image on our coin.

The closing verses of Psalm 92 are a wonderful illustration of our value when we are planted in the house of the Lord, regardless of our age.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15)

Even if you first bore the king’s image many years ago – or maybe the image didn’t make much of an impression on you – as long as you’re alive, you still have time to have the king’s image sharpened in your life.

In fact, today feels like a good time to be re-minted with the king’s image.

(And by “king,” I mean “Jesus,” just in case that wasn’t clear.)