A message for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, Akron OH, Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Remember the phrase from a Nationwide Insurance commercial about twenty years ago, “Life comes at you fast”? I certainly do.
Just over two weeks ago, I learned that I was separated from my day job of 18 1/2 years. As in any separation from employment, especially when it was unexpected, everything happens very quickly once you get the call, or in my case, an unscheduled Teams meeting. After receiving the call, I was determined to get everything that belonged to my company, my laptop and my work phone, back to the office as soon as possible, and to clear my workspace of my belongings. There weren’t many people in the office at the time, which helped, and I had turned everything back in and removed my tchotchkes before noon that day (I had a lot of personal items at work to make it feel more like a home away from home. I told myself a while ago to limit those items on my desk—alas, it didn’t work.)
What happened to the 18 1/2 years of time spent? Suddenly, it was over. My work there was effectively finished. No more training or bringing people along. I also came to the stark realization, especially after hitting my 67th birthday, that I was essentially semi-retired. It was earlier than I had anticipated, but it also provided some opportunities for me to take the next steps in life where my work will be more faith-based in nature. The year is not over yet but with accomplishing all the major milestones in my life, it was a fitting conclusion to everything that I had experienced. To God be the glory!
I effectively became a free agent—and not as a free agent as in a baseball player looking for a new contract, but a free agent in Jesus Christ. (And yes, I’m looking for a new contract of sorts.) For our purposes, that is exactly what all of us need to be—free agents for Jesus.
The simplest definition that you will find for “free agent” (n.)(outside of that of a professional athlete) is a person whose actions are not constrained by others.1
I’m no longer bound by the rules of the organization that I used to work for. As long as I live in a manner that honors Jesus in obedience, I have no restrictions as to how I can minister to others. And as I reflected on God’s goodness throughout this transition, it brought to mind that we are free to live in Christ when we are outside of constraints.
John 8:36 NIV
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
During this time, I was concurrently preparing a Bible study that gave a stark reminder as to our responsibility as free agents in Jesus. Our freedom comes from Jesus Christ; therefore, we have a responsibility to operate under His authority, which, of course surpasses any human or worldly authority.
Here are some words from the Lord as presented by Paul that are always mindful and helpful for our consideration:
Romans 12:1-3 NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
For believers in Jesus Christ, I’ll go as far as stating that these verses should be our Christian Credo.2 A credo (also known as a creed) is a principle that provides guidance as to how we are to live. We must humble ourselves before the Lord, not thinking that we are beyond learning something, even when there is a separation or dramatic change in life.
The best advice that I have ever received about any life events is to do the following: (1) Don’t make decisions without weighing the consequences, (2) Don’t rush into anything, and (3) Don’t overthink yourself to a state of “Analysis Paralysis.” If you are relying on godly wisdom, you can’t go wrong. Call on the name of Jesus as you make your transitional decisions. We must be careful to seek wisdom through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Have you made a PACT with Jesus in your decision-making?
- P is for prayer
- A is for asking God with specificity (making petitions)
- C is for consulting others for wise counsel, and
- T is to trust in the results3
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
If you are putting Jesus Christ at the forefront, He will give you wisdom.
You must use discernment as you search for advice and test it against God’s Word. If the advice is contrary to Scripture, it must be a non-starter. It’s all about living for Jesus Christ and resisting personal fleshly desires and worldly counsel.3
I love to use acronyms to demonstrate ways to think about matters as we invite the Holy Spirit into our presence. For example, let’s use the word WISE as a way of seeking wisdom within our decision-making process:
W – Wait. Take a pause.
Take your time and give your situation to the Lord in sincere, honest prayer and I will also add that you give thanks for the Lord’s goodness within the situation. As we pray, we need to give God the glory and the praise that He rightfully deserves.
Lamentations 3:25 NIV
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
I – Inquire of God. Pray. Meditate on His Word. Ask. Seek. Knock (Matthew 7:7).
Wisdom is something that God freely provides, but you need to ask God to give it to you. His Word is the Gold Standard of wisdom. It separates the wheat from the chaff.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
S – Seek His truth.
The emphasis here is to follow God’s truth, which is rooted in His Word. Allow the Spirit to speak to you as you dwell in His Word daily.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
E – Exemplary living. It is reflected in your actions.
Your exemplary speech should reflect godly wisdom.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I’m here to also burst your bubble if for some reason you believe that retirement means that you can sit around all day watching game shows, soaps and Netflix movies. Nope. Sorry about that. There is too much going on today where having such an idea of taking it easy and doing nothing should make you extremely uncomfortable.
How can we, as a church—the body of Christ—sit back and watch as our world continues to fall apart and self-destruct? I was telling my lovely bride the other day that literally every day I get notifications in my phone that someone committed suicide, another person was shot and another was stabbed to death—and this was all local news. Right outside our doors, whether we are here or at home, is a world that desperately needs Jesus. In my own mind, I have recently determined that there is what I refer to as “unfinished business” in my own family.
Satan’s deception has been ever-present and has destroyed people and families. A lot of people play around with horoscopes and Halloween. These are just two examples of things that we are to never participate in. Our enemy is sneaky and is a liar, and many have succumbed to His lies:
John 8:44b NIV
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Your protection against the enemy is to humble yourself before Jesus and rely upon Him:
1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
John 10:10 NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Having life to the full means living in freedom as a free agent in Christ. We must continue to pray for our unbelieving brothers and sisters who are caught up as slaves to sin to be free in Christ. We know where we came from before we believed, but now we know where we are going:
Romans 6:20-23 NIV
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As you get older, and prayerfully, more mature in your faith, your heart’s desire becomes more aligned with God’s will in that you want to see more people receive salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ. You want them to see the freedom that you are experiencing. There’s freedom in knowing that no matter what happens in life you will be with Jesus one day and for all eternity.
He is our hope and our future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Believers are to seek the Lord daily and, in many situations, come out of our comfort zones and put ourselves out there as representatives of Jesus. Say “hello” to complete strangers. Talk to your neighbors and engage with them. Schedule meetings for coffee or lunch.4
Engage with others for the sake of the gospel. Just live and speak in a manner that reflects Jesus. Remember that you don’t save anyone. Salvation is under the purview of the Holy Spirit. He knows the hearts of those that we share with; therefore, we are to continue in prayer that people are not just hearers of the Word but also receptive and in agreement that they believe in Jesus.
Let us continue to seek the Lord in humility and use our bodies as a living sacrifice for Him because time is short.
We have all heard the expression, “If the Lord tarries…”
This is an expression that is often used in Christian circles that means “If Jesus does not return” before an event or a future meeting. The word “tarry” means to delay, wait, linger, or stay longer.5 In old English and biblical translations (like the King James Version), it means to ‘hold back’ or ‘take time.’
The Lord is “tarrying” because He is holding back and taking time before He returns in judgment. His return is certain for everyone, whether you believe in Jesus or not. He will return for His church when the “last Gentile” accepts Jesus Christ (Romans 11:25)—whomever that last person is. Only the Lord knows.
May you and I continue to live in such a manner, as free agents for Jesus, where we handle the business that is in front of us with the knowledge that Jesus will indeed be here very soon.
There’s no need to be anxious about life events. Before making important decisions, seek the Lord’s wisdom and pray fervently before making your move. Remain obedient to Him as you go, and trust that Jesus will care for you and your family.
Trust in His goodness and loving kindness. He always has been, and He always will be here for you.
Copyright © 2026 Melvin Gaines.
1 free agent (n.d.) “Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
2 Credo – definition, meaning & synonyms. Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/credo
3 Gaines, M. (2021, February 21). When a wise donkey speaks, you’d better listen! Melvin Gaines. https://melvingaines.com/2021/02/21/when-a-donkey-speaks-youd-better-listen/
4 Gaines, M. (2023, November 12). Missional living. Melvin Gaines. https://melvingaines.com/2023/11/12/missional-living/
5 R/Christianity on reddit: Question about baptist lingo. (n.d.). https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/5617wl/question_about_baptist_lingo/
