The Illusion of Freedom and How to Actually Find It

If you were born in the 60's like I was, you probably remember the commercials that promised freedom at 55.

"Freedom 55" was the basis of a marketing campaign launched by London Life back in the early 80's, which suggested that if you played your cards right, and invested your money wisely (with them of course) you could retire from your job at the young age of 55...ten years earlier than the typical age of 65.

I turn 60 in a few days so I guess I've missed that boat.

I remember as a teenager the idea of retiring at 55 seemed almost irrelevant since it was so far in the distance. But now as I look at 55 in the rearview mirror, it actually means more. Not because I long to be retired, but because work has come to mean so much more.

I fully understand the sentiment and why people would want the freedom from our jobs, but I'm convinced that we don't want freedom from work; but rather, freedom from meaningless work.

Don't get me wrong; I understand that there are times when we need to work...just work, at almost any job to pay bills. There's honour in that. But for most, that happens on the front end of our careers not the backend. The older we get, the more options we typically have.

So by the time we're 55 or older, hopefully we can choose wisely. Or change our mindset about the work we're doing.

Notice I didn't say, we want freedom from menial work. Even what we might consider menial can have meaning; it doesn't matter if you're pushing papers or a broom, what matters more is why you're doing it in the first place.

Who Are You Working For?

If you have a family to feed, then you have all the motivation you need to work; and that is meaningful in and of itself. It doesn't matter if you're a CEO, lawyer, barista or custodian. (How did you react to each of those roles?)

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

If you really want to experience freedom, then decide to do what you do for the Lord who provided the work in the first place. At the end of the day, you have an audience of One.

You see, freedom isn't found in not working...it's found in finding meaning in our work and deciding who we ultimately are working for in the first place.

With this is mind, age becomes irrelevant. We can choose how and who we work for at any point. In fact, I would suggest that retirement isn't really the point at all.

I mean, I love golf and riding my motorcycle for example, but man, there's got to be more to life than that. Doesn't there?

Maybe you do end your typical work at some point; but I sure hope you have something to retire to. Yes, more work! Maybe your role is different, maybe you don't even receive a paycheque, but work nonetheless.

In other words, as long as we have breath, and can function, I believe we have something to do. That sounds meaningful to me...and freeing.

Freedom isn't found in having nothing to do. It's found in doing something meaningful.

In this way, you can have freedom at any age! Even 60! Yikes!

I'm kidding...I'm just getting started.

Until next time - Dan