When it comes to the issue of retirement, there’s not much in the Bible. And no surprise there, because it comes from a very different culture to our own.

However, the Bible does have lots to say about how we should live at any point in our life – which includes, of course, the years when we are retired and active.

The words of St Paul to the Philippians are relevant here – ‘Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.’ (Philippians 2:12)

Wrapped up in the call to ‘continue to work out your salvation’ in the context of life after work, there’s the expectation and encouragement to –

Nurture our faith – letting the garden of our soul flourish and grow deep roots

Share our faith – with gentleness and wisdom, helping others hear our story and meet its source.

Meanwhile we can be confident in a promise from some other words of St Paul to the Philippians – ‘I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ’. (Philippians 1:6)