We’re Not Done Yet
Did you know you can join AARP at 50 and, by 60, get full deals and benefits?
When did 50 become a senior citizen?
Seriously… at 50, I had finally found time to start taking care of myself.
Or at least stop making excuses.
By 60, I was probably in the best physical shape of my life thanks to diet and lifestyle changes.
People around me are dropping like flies though.
Not dying… but retiring.
And to some who have, or had, active careers, it feels like dying.
But it doesn’t have to.
My husband often asks: When are we going to get that Sprinter van so our wiener dogs can travel in style?
[Reminder, honey: we don’t like to travel. Especially long drives. Style or no style. With or without dogs.]
I stick the proverbial fingers in my ears, shake my head, and tell him,
“I’m not done yet.”
Well… I’m not.
Retirement Isn’t in the Bible… So What Now?
Where does it say “retirement” in the Bible?
And what is retirement really?
Some people (present company included) feel like it’s the end of purpose, passion, and productivity.
At 61, I have told myself I will:
a) age with intention, and
b) continue to pursue purpose and passion.
And that is okay.
Because I’m not done yet.
And I don’t believe God is done with me.
If you are approaching, or are in your 60s, have you started thinking about your final life quarter?
Are you embracing it or in denial?
I am not suggesting the denial route, though it may sound that way.
To the contrary, it is just another season to plan for and live with intention.
Intention.
Only God knows the days each of us has here, and no matter how many they are, I know theoretically we all want quality of life, meaning, and enjoyment.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Who Did God Create You to Be in This Season?
No one wakes up and says, “I want to sit in my recliner all day eating crummy food, doing puzzles, and letting my mind turn into a bowl of Jell-O.”
But if you have ever spent much time in an assisted living facility, this is all too common a picture.
Not for me.
I’m not done yet, and I don’t plan to ever be.
So just like the other seasons of life, we need a plan.
Reflection
The first step in creating an intentional 4th quarter is to reflect on who you are.
I believe God created each of us with intention.
Who did God create you to be?
How do you like to spend your time?
Here are a few questions to get you started:
- What qualities have stayed true about me throughout my life, regardless of my roles?
- What moments in the past year brought me the most joy or meaning?
- What would my days look like if I weren’t worried about expectations or what others think?
- When do I feel closest to God, and how can I create more space for that in this season?
- “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Rediscovering Purpose When the Job Title Falls Away
Do you work for someone else or for yourself?
I have a friend—she works for a client, and she is one of my heroes.
She is 85, still working full-time in a very detailed job.
She says she’s going to keep working as long as the company will have her.
She drives a sporty convertible… so I had to get one too.
Maybe it will help me stay as young of heart as she is.
But for me?
I own my own business.
Do I ever have to retire?
Maybe I just need a wind-down and coast until eternity meets me.
Or maybe I come full circle…
In college, I started out wanting to be a writer.
An unkind honors English teacher detoured me.
Or maybe it was God directing me through her.
But that may be my 4th-quarter plan…
To write and make art.
Probably God’s timing, as I don’t need to do it to pay bills now… and He knew this endeavor wouldn’t make ends meet.
If you are still working and have a few years to go, start planning the wind-down now.
Don’t wait until your colleagues gather around the cake and hand you the retirement watch.
What do you want to do with your gifts and time when you wind down and sign off from your current assignments?
No barriers.
Don’t let Satan tell you it isn’t possible.
What would you do if time and money were not an issue?
Start here. Then we can work backward into the plan.
This is actually part of my Life By Design program.
I used to focus primarily on people in mid-life crisis… of course, that was because I birthed Life By Design during my own.
Lately, I’ve focused Life By Design on helping those of us in our 60s thoughtfully plan out our 4th quarter of life.
Intentionally.
Creating a Life You Actually Want to Wake Up To
Most of us are creatures of habit.
Even though we complain about the daily grind or having to be in the office from 9–5, we subconsciously relax knowing where we’re supposed to be and when.
Having a routine—a place to be and people who need us—gives us a necessary rhythm.
This is not elusive even in retirement.
No one said if you retire now, you suddenly sleep ’til 10, stay in pajamas all day, and shower only if you’re seeing people.
(Save that for vacation.)
Once you decide how you want to spend your time, if you like routine, put together a schedule.
Plan your life with intention and time blocks if you want.
Your Community Will Change—Here’s How to Stay Connected
From grade school through college, we typically spend time with people our age.
As we enter adulthood, the age range in our community widens.
As we age, we have different interests, varying levels of health and energy, and often live in other areas of the country.
If we retire and want to refill our calendars with more social and relational activities because we finally have time, the rest of our community may not be on the same timeline, in the same geography, or even interested in spending their time the same way.
Yes… that sucks.
A month or so ago, I met two people I used to work with for drinks.
We were a close-knit team.
Twenty-plus years ago, we would go out for “one drink,” and before we knew it, we were dancing on tables, on our 5th first drink, and saying goodnight at midnight begrudgingly.
Fast forward to 2025…
The first of us bailed at 7:30 p.m. (“I am tired,” she said.)
The other friend and I lasted until 8.
My, how things change.
Just because our stamina may be different doesn’t mean community isn’t just as important.
In our 4th quarter, the meet-ups may be for coffee or lunch.
It could be a Bible study instead of a bar.
The point is: relationship is what God created us for.
We need to make the time and intentionally work on connecting.
Others may not be at your stage in life, but hey… you have the time and flexibility now.
Don’t be stubborn.
Make yourself available and create a rich community.
What No One Tells You About the Emotional Side of Aging
The last thing I want to say out loud—for both you and me—is that even at 60, 70, or 80, we are still the same people God created us to be.
When I was 20, I thought that by 60, people had everything figured out.
As if sixty-year-olds didn’t have fears, passion, and a persistent need for connection.
But guess what?
We aren’t done yet.
And we never will be.
We will be living, breathing, emotional humans until we meet Jesus in person.
And this world has—and always will be—a scary place.
It’s okay to be afraid of what’s next.
It is normal to want purpose even at 70.
Inevitably, your feelings will still get hurt if you feel rejected by a friend or family member.
But the antidote is still the same.
We still need God to fulfill all of our emotional needs.
We still need Him to mend our hearts and to give us His peace.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
He knows we are not done yet.
And thankfully, He isn’t either.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
In this season of life, you owe it to yourself to slow down long enough to listen… really listen… to who God created you to be and what He may still have in store.
If you want a place to begin, download these extended reflection questions below and journal through them. You might be surprised by what God brings to the surface.
And if you want more guidance, structure, and a companion on the journey, my Life by Design course was created exactly for this purpose. It’s for those of us who aren’t done yet, and don’t plan to be. Together, we look at who you are today, where God may be leading, and how to intentionally design a fourth quarter that excites you.
Whatever you choose, don’t just drift into your final season.
Write the final chapter of your story with intention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is retirement mentioned in the Bible?
No, the concept of retirement as we know it today isn’t found in Scripture. In fact, biblical figures often served with purpose throughout their entire lives. The Bible emphasizes living with intention, serving others, and staying faithful to God’s calling—regardless of age.
2. What does the Bible say about aging and purpose?
Scripture teaches that we are created with purpose at every stage of life. Verses like Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 90:12 remind us that God has good works prepared for us, and we should be wise with the time we’re given. Aging is not a finish line—it’s a new season to live intentionally.
3. Is it normal to feel lost or unmotivated after retirement?
Absolutely. Many people experience a loss of identity when a job title goes away. That’s why it’s crucial to plan your “4th quarter” with intention—building new rhythms, exploring creative outlets, and staying connected to meaningful community and spiritual growth.
4. What is ‘Life By Design’?
Life By Design is a program I created to help people—especially those in their 60s and beyond—plan their lives with purpose and passion. It’s about living intentionally in your “4th quarter” by rediscovering your calling, aligning with your values, and creating a life you actually want to wake up to.
5. Can I start something new in retirement—like a business, writing, or art?
Absolutely! Many people find that this season of life is the perfect time to pursue dreams that had to wait. With fewer pressures and more clarity, you may be better positioned than ever to explore creativity, mentorship, or entrepreneurship.
6. What does intentional aging mean?
Intentional aging means choosing how you live each day, rather than drifting. It’s about planning your time, investing in relationships, staying active mentally and spiritually, and aligning your choices with the legacy you want to leave.
7. How can I stay emotionally healthy as I age?
By staying connected to God, to yourself, and to others. Aging brings emotional changes, but Scripture reminds us to cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Keep reflecting, stay in community, pursue purpose, and don’t ignore your emotional or spiritual needs.
