15 Sep Finding Meaningful Work in the Second Half

A few years back, I went through what I like to call a “Christian man’s midlife crisis.” Unlike the Hollywood depiction of a man at midlife, I didn’t want a new car and thank goodness I didn’t want a new wife. But yet, I knew something had to change.

 
I had been working for over 30 years in a profession that had provided for my family and at times was very rewarding. However, I was tired, and I lacked the passion and energy needed to continue in the role I was in. Our kids were almost out of the house and for the first time in my life, I felt some freedom to dream about a change in my work. I knew the idea of “retirement” was nowhere in my Bible, and I knew I would always need to “put my hand” to some meaningful work, but I had no idea what that work would be.

So I went on a mission to figure out the “next chapter” of my life. I read every book written on the subject of midlife. I talked to anyone who would listen and even hired a professional coach for added direction. While Scripture doesn’t directly mention “midlife,” I did find much encouragement from God’s Word. Psalm 92:14 says that “even in old age the righteous will produce fruit.”

I also became a student of people who seemed to be really “hitting it out of the park” in the second half of their lives. These were second-halfers whose activities included more than bus rides to Gatlinburg to watch the leaves change and eating dinner at 4:30pm in the afternoon at the cafeteria.

“I believe everybody’s journey at midlife is unique. For some it entails a career change; for others simply a change of heart or a change of habit.”

I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I ended up encountering God’s grace in the most incredible way. I believe everybody’s journey at midlife is unique. For some it entails a career change; for others simply a change of heart or a change of habit. In the interest of helping others avoid some of my mistakes, here are my top three take-aways from my own experience:

Pause and Reflect. Midlife is a great time to spend some meaningful time really seeking to understand who you are and what it is you do that blesses other people. It is a season to dream. However, make sure your dreams and God’s dreams are aligned. Always remember that your gifts and abilities are from God and are designed to ultimately bring Him glory.

Put Others First. While the “reflection” piece is critical to a meaningful transition, the sooner you can begin to take the focus off of “self” and begin to see midlife and beyond as a season of serving and investing in others, the closer you will be to finding meaningful work in the second half. Don’t see midlife as a time when you have to prove something or even correct past mistakes. Simply focus on the work God is placing in front of you, and strive every day to become “famous in heaven,” not here on earth.

“Don’t see midlife as a time when you have to prove something or even correct past mistakes. Simply focus on the work God is placing in front of you, and strive every day to become “famous in heaven,” not here on earth.”

Never stop learning. We all fear that at some point our phone will stop ringing and our inboxes will be empty or that we will no longer be relevant to the next generation. As we age, one of the most important works to do is to remain a continuous learner. Recently I was inspired by watching a 92 year-old great grandmother post her latest activities on social media using her iPad.

Nowhere is our commitment to learning more important than in our spiritual lives. As we age, we can’t live and act “like we heard it all before” and that God doesn’t have anything new to teach us. Seek to grow in your faith with the same daily zeal of a new believer.

Be encouraged. Our work in the second season of life can be a work of great fulfillment and joy. Brandon Heath wrote a song a few years back called “Wait and See.” The chorus of that song should be our motto as we grow old in our service and devotion to the Lord.

“There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans He’s made for me
I’ll have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet.
He’s not finished with me yet.”

-Mike Chibbaro, Elder