There are many references in the Old Testament to the ancient god Baal. According to GotAnswers.org, Baal was, "the name of the supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia." Its followers practiced human sacrifice and believed Baal enabled the earth to produce crops and people to produce children. As with many ancient gods and idols, Christians wonder how people could have been so fooled into following false gods, but we must be careful to throw stones.
This morning, God revealed to me that for 32 years I worshiped not the god Baal, but the institution of SPS. I was not involved in human sacrifice, but sacrificed countless hours with my family. I never laid offerings to SPS on an altar, but I did spend hundreds of hours outside of my contract in order to please and appease. Time that would have been better spend in quiet reflection was given to medicore school newsletters. Bible study given over to data dives.
Do I regret the time I gave SPS? No, not at all. I had a good run. SPS is a quality organization, and I made make good friends. But today I realized SPS had become my Baal.
SPS directed my time. SPS received my energy. SPS consumed my thoughts. As I move deeper into my retirement, I have come to realize I am free from those requirements and expectations. I no longer have an excuse not to allow God to directs my hours, days, and weeks. Baal is dead.
Starting today, my first prayer each morning, will be, "God, please reveal to me what you would have me do today. How do you wish for my to spend my hours, my energies? Please, Father, help me to design my day to please you."
Rather than pleasing a Director of Education, I will try to please the Director of the Universe. Talk about a retirement plan!
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