Before delving into this topic, I would like to begin by drawing on theologian Herman Bavinck’s discussion of the wonderful creation of man, which I have paraphrased from parts of Chapter 12 (The Origin, Essence, and Purpose of Man) in The Wonderful Works of God:
Humans are both physical and spiritual. Unlike the animals, our soul comes from God’s own breath (Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7; Zech. 12:1). Bearing God’s image, we rise above mere sensation and feeling to concepts and ideals—we can think, judge beauty and goodness, and even discern God’s power in creation.
Our affections reach beyond utility to unseen, spiritual goods, and our God-given faculties show up uniquely in language, worship, morality, law, art, and science. Scripture’s “human-like” language for God presupposes this: we were made in His image—personal, rational, moral—so that we might know Him and live accordingly.
This beautiful image of mankind, created in God’s image as living bodies with eternal souls, may be one reason why we humans easily assume we can find our own path to joy and fulfillment within ourselves. After all, we were created in God’s image; we are wondrous creatures with fantastic abilities and potential.
But we are also finite and limited, and, tragically, fallen and broken. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are all sinners from birth:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom. 3:23, ESV)
The Apostle John says that if we deny this, we are liars:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 Jn. 1:8, ESV)
Moreover, our identity is given to us by God. We are “hard-wired” in many respects. We are not self-made, and our identity is not something we can invent or reinvent. God created us to know the truth, goodness, and beauty that is in Him and to find our ultimate identity there.
Our God-given reason and conscience must be ordered to what’s true, not just what “feels right.” We’re built to love transcendent “goods,” as Bavinck said—God and neighbor—so joy isn’t found in feeling and experiences alone but in rightly ordered loves.
With these ontological and teleological foundations in place, we can begin our discussion.
The strange time we live in
We live in a strange time in this culture when your highest personal good is often touted as “being true to yourself.”
You’ll hear this in TED Talks and commencement speeches, read it in bestselling books, and see it on social media. The message is clear: Look inward to discover your truth, then express it outwardly because, in doing so, you’ll find the happiness and fulfillment you long for.
That message is the essence of what cultural analyst and author Carl Trueman calls “expressive individualism,” defined as the belief that the authentic self is one where inner feelings define reality. In his book Strange New World, Trueman explains:
The modern self assumes the authority of inner feelings and sees authenticity as defined by the ability to give social expression to the same. (pg. 19)
Truman wrote that book as an abridged version of his seminal work on the topic, titled “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.” In it, he traces how Western culture came to prioritize internal psychological and emotional feelings as the core of a person’s identity.
This ideology has, according to author Christian Smith, been elevated to the “spiritual”:
It is spiritual (not merely ideological or cultural) because it names what is sacrosanct, an ultimate concern, a vision for what is most worthy in a sense that transcends any individual life. It is spiritual because it speaks to people’s deepest personal subjectivities, their most transcendent vision of goodness, their definition of ultimate fulfillment. It is spiritual because as a deep cultural structure it occupies a position in the modern West homologous with salvation in God that was prized in the premodern Christendom that modernity broke apart. And it is spiritual because, by being sacred, it is worth protecting, defending, policing, fighting for, perhaps dying for, even killing for.1
This new “spritualality/religion/ideaology” has had far-reaching implications, surprising many of us. It now shapes how many people think about their individual identity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Even some confessing Christians have adopted it, exchanging the historical teachings of the orthodox Christian faith for their personal interpretations and beliefs (and sometimes feelings), assigning them the same authority they once ascribed only to God’s Holy Word.
One of the big problems with this, of course, is that our personal feelings, intuition, interpretations, and beliefs aren’t reliable because they’ve been distorted, tainted, and even perverted by sin.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9, ESV)
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Prov. 28:26, ESV)
Our introspective thoughts and feelings can be trusted only to the extent that they align with the teachings of Scripture and God’s expressed will regarding the nature and purpose of our lives. Although God doesn’t reveal all the details to us, He has given us enough so that the rest can be “worked out” practically as we study His Word, seek His will, and pray for His guidance and direction daily.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6, ESV)
Look inward or outward in retirement?
Not surprisingly, this way of thinking, believing, and defining one’s “personal reality” has also influenced how many approach retirement.
Before Truman wrote on this subject, popular books on retirement were abundant with the “expressive individuality” theme, and some still are. Modern retirement messaging encourages people to “reinvent themselves” and “pursue what makes them personally happy.”
The result is that many now increasingly think of themselves in a fundamentally different way. They believe they are who they feel themselves to be or aspire to be, not who they are in relation to God or others. Or, as 9 Marks described it in a summary of Trueman’s book,
… in modern culture, identity is determined more by inner feelings and self‐perception than by inherited structures, moral or theological frameworks.
This shift has profound implications. It can tempt even faithful believers to view retirement as a purely personal journey, centered on self-expression and fulfillment. But the Bible offers a contrary but better, more holistic vision.
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:19–20, ESV)
And thus Scripture doesn’t tell us to look inward to define our lives—it tells us to look outward, to the God who created us, redeemed us, and calls us to follow Him.
With that said, let’s look at some of the retirement “myths” that the expressive individualism ideology has fomented and a biblical response:
Myth #1: Your inner self will lead you to truth
I’ve listed this myth first because it may be the most insidious one, as it begins by rejecting the idea that absolute truth exists outside of ourselves. If there’s no stable, enduring, objective truth that conforms to reality, then we’re left to ourselves—our preferences, feelings, or the latest trends.
This myth sounds freeing and somehow “right,” but it actually leaves us alone and drifting, especially in retirement when the decisions are weighty and the voices that beckon us in different directions are so loud.
This myth pertains to where and how we seek truth and guidance. Our culture suggests that truth is something you come up with on your own, from within yourself—you have to “discover” it. Also, it’s not “static”; it’s fluid and it shifts. What’s “true” for you today may not be tomorrow.
That’s why you’ll hear things like, “What’s true for you might not be true for me.” When it comes to retirement, the advice often turns into messages like, “make your own path,” “decide what’s right for you,” or the simple and “hip” expression, “You do you.”
Secular retirement guidebooks often avoid any external moral or spiritual framework. They offer help for self-discovery, self-realization, and self-actualization that aren’t necessarily based on ultimate truth and reality.
What’s missing in this whole line of thinking, feeling, and action is some simple questions: Can I trust my thoughts and feelings? Should I trust what I find in myself?
The biblical answer is an unequivocal NO, and it’s very clear about this:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Prov. 14:12, ESV)
Claiming to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:22, ESV)
These verses suggest that those who believe they are wise often end up making foolish decisions, especially when they reject God’s truth. It highlights the danger of relying on human wisdom or intuition rather than on divine revelation.
But here’s the good news: We don’t have to guess. Scripture offers durable, practical guidance for living—how to love, work, give, and rest. Real freedom isn’t inventing our own truth; it’s walking in the truth that is eternal and unchanging.
Scripture is crystal clear: we don’t generate truth from within, we receive it from without (and then it changes us within). Here are Jesus’ own words about truth:
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (Jn. 17:17, ESV)
That verse tells us that God is the ultimate source of truth, guiding us in our faith and actions.
. . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn. 8:32, ESV)
That verse reminds us that only God’s truth can help us find absolute freedom and understanding.
These verses and others emphasize a crucial fact: It’s God’s Word—not our beliefs, feelings, or intuitions—that is our ultimate source of truth. If we want to live wisely, enjoy life in retirement, and finish well, we must be people of the Word and walk in its truth. That means regular time in Scripture, prayerful reflection, teaching, and wise counsel from others in the body of Christ.
Myth #2: Your inner self will lead you to fulfillment
This myth is closely related to the one above. It centers on the idea that fulfillment comes from looking inward, that your inner self is the ultimate source of direction toward that fulfillment.
While some personal reflection can be helpful, the underlying assumption is that fulfillment comes from aligning your outer life with your inner self. That may sound creative and appealing—after all, who wouldn’t want to design their future self if they can?
The modern self finds purpose and significance not in the truths revealed by God, but in the narrative of personal psychological fulfillment. But the Bible warns us not to trust our hearts as the ultimate source of direction and fulfillment, and gives a sober warning in this verse I quoted earlier:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9, ESV).
If our hearts can’t be trusted, then we shouldn’t look to them for ultimate guidance on what we need or who we should become. For the Christian, true transformation isn’t a DIY project; it comes through Christ, not self-reformation. True fulfillment is not about expressing the self, but denying the self and following Jesus:
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matt. 16:24, ESV)
In Reimagine Retirement, I encourage readers to embrace this mindset shift:
The deepest meaning in life—and in retirement—is found not in the freedom to do whatever we want, but in greater freedom to do what God wants.
When we root our purpose in Christ rather than our changing emotions or longings, we find fulfillment that is deeper, richer, and eternal.
In fact, our ultimate joy and fulfillment in this life is not in what we do in retirement, it’s our relationship to Christ:
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (Jn. 8:32, ESV).
Myth #3 – Retirement is your time to focus on yourself
This myth is perhaps the most common and socially accepted retirement mantra: “You’ve worked hard—now it’s your time.” Retirement is sold as a long-deserved reward —an extended vacation in which personal pleasure, freedom, and self-care become ultimate goals.
A core message of the modern retirement movement is that freedom is self-defined and self-directed. It champions the idea that actual retirement is about breaking free from the structure of work and rediscovering what you want for yourself: your hobbies, your travel dreams, your leisure time. Its central message, which has become popular in the “financial independence retirement early” (FIRE) movement, is: “Retire early. Escape work. Enjoy your life to the fullest.”
The Bible, however, offers a radically different perspective. First and foremost,
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4, ESV)
Retirement isn’t our opportunity to become the center of the universe. It’s a fresh season of stewardship, using the time, health, and resources God provides to serve His purposes with joy.
While rest and enjoyment are good things, the problem with this mindset is that it makes the self the focus of retirement rather than God.
The Bible affirms the value of rest and the enjoyment of God’s good gifts (Eccl. 3:12–13), but it never endorses a season of life wholly devoted to self-interest. Instead, Scripture consistently calls us to love God and love others, not just in our working years, but across our entire lives.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Gal. 5:13, ESV)
God calls us to invest most of our time with purpose for as long as we can—pouring into others, mentoring younger generations, volunteering in our churches and communities, and being generous with the blessings we’ve received.
Myth #4: You’ve earned the right to live on your terms
This is all about the “you’ve earned the right to…(fill in the blanks)” retirement mantra. It shows up in not-so-subtle ways in the secular retirement media and promotes the idea that because we worked a good bit of our lives, we have somehow earned the right to do whatever we want in retirement.
Retirement is our reward for having done our “duty” to work and provide for ourselves and our families, so now it’s time to live for ourselves. That’s the cultural anthem: You worked hard. Now it’s all about you. This is your time. You’ve earned the right to live life on your terms.
Although those claims echo loudly across popular retirement media, Scripture humbly reminds us:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17, ESV).
That verse speaks to the material, physical, and spiritual provision that God gives to us, such that we can enjoy a season of “retirement” should we choose. It does not imply that we are somehow deserving of those things or that God is obligated to provide us with a comfortable retirement or that we deserve it on our own merits.
Nor does it mean that just because we retire, we’ve earned the right to do whatever we please—to live life on our own terms. While we certainly have the freedom to enjoy retirement in a variety of ways—and I believe that God is pleased when we do—His Word and our love and gratitude toward Him, and our desire to be obedient to Him, constrain and direct us.
We can unknowingly absorb cultural messages about retirement that place ourselves at the center. But God calls us to reframe retirement not as a retreat from living purposefully for Him and others, but as a redeployment for His glory and the good of others. There’s no biblical retirement from discipleship. Even in retirement, our lives are not our own—they belong to Him.
Sure, there’s value in some personal reflection and intentionality when thinking about retirement, but the overriding assumption of this myth is that you are the ultimate authority of your life. You can call the shots now. You’ve done your time—you’ve got no more obligation or expectation to fulfill and no more sacrifices to make.
Here, the biblical view of lordship confronts cultural assumptions (this is really THE problem, isn’t it?—it’s a question of lordship). We are never truly “our own,” not when we’re working, and not when we retire.
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:19–20, ESV)
We don’t graduate from stewardship or discipleship at age 65. Instead, we are called to surrender our lives to Him continuously. The irony is that the more we insist on living life on our terms, the more we risk missing out on the joy, fruitfulness, and true fulfillment that come from living under Christ’s loving lordship.
Myth #5: I’m no longer of much use to the Lord, so I’m free to do whatever I want
This myth, also similar to #4 above, is somewhat different than the others, but it’s a common one. It isn’t always spoken aloud, but it lurks beneath the surface of our culture’s obsession with youth, productivity, and innovation. Once you leave the workforce, you’re subtly told you’re past your prime. In fact, retirement itself can sometimes feel like society saying, “Thank you for your service—now please step aside.”
Even well-meaning Christians can begin to internalize this lie: “My best years of serving God are behind me.” Many retirement resources—both secular and Christian—focus more on lifestyle planning than kingdom purpose. They unintentionally reinforce the idea that usefulness has an expiration date.
As with the other myths, the Bible paints a very different picture. Age is not always a barrier to fruitfulness; in fact, it’s often a time to become more fruitful. God uses older saints not despite their age, but because of it. Their wisdom, stability, and long-term faithfulness are spiritual treasures for the body of Christ.
“They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright…”
(Psalm 92:14–15, ESV)
Moses began his greatest work at the age of 80. Paul’s letters from prison—written near the end of his life—still shape the Church today. Anna the prophetess, a widow in her 80s, faithfully worshipped and waited in the temple and was the first to publicly recognize Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:36–38).
God never retires His people from His purposes.
In Reimagine Retirement, I wrote:
“You don’t have to go out and change the world. But you’re still called to make disciples, love others, and build God’s kingdom—however He enables you, wherever He places you.”
Whether through mentoring, volunteering, caregiving, or simply offering encouragement and prayer, every believer in retirement still has a vital role to play. As long as we draw breath, we can declare, by word and deed, “The Lord is upright.”
A better way
The expressive individualism of our age presents an alluring yet ultimately hollow narrative: that you are the source of your own identity, truth, and purpose. The gospel tells a better story: that your identity is found and received in Christ, your purpose is eternal, and your fulfillment is found in Christ.
As you enter or live through retirement, don’t settle for self-fulfillment. Aim for God-glorifying stewardship. Enjoy His good gifts, yes—but keep Him at the center. Because the best retirement isn’t about finally living for yourself—it’s about finishing your race for Someone greater.
- Christian Smith, To Flourish or Destruct: A Personalist Account of Human Goods, Motivations, Failure, and Evil (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015), 269–70, quoted in The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics (multiple authors). ↩︎