At some point, many of us start to grasp that the future ahead is shorter than the past we’ve experienced. It’s a realization tied to aging. When this hits, you might find yourself re-evaluating aspects of life that you overlooked in your younger years, particularly health and retirement planning.
Jennifer Breheny Wallace, in recent writings for the Wall Street Journal, discussed a retirement crisis that seems to fly under the radar: the importance of feeling acknowledged and useful as we age. She highlights the unexpected anxiety that surfaces for many.
This anxiety diminishes their sense of significance, the inherent need to feel valued and contribute meaningfully. While we usually plan for financial stability and physical health, there’s a notable lack of preparation for maintaining a sense of purpose post-retirement. People often struggle to feel seen and competent in this new life phase.
The implications of this are far-reaching. A 2020 meta-analysis in the journal Health Care revealed that nearly one-third of retirees display symptoms of depression. The psychological effects of retirement—feeling undervalued and disconnected—were linked closely to post-retirement depressive states.
This isn’t simply a concern for a select few. Every day, over 11,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday. By 2030, a fifth of the population will reach retirement age. Wallace emphasizes that as advancements in medicine lead to longer lifespans, preserving a sense of importance becomes a crucial challenge in aging.
This shifts the essential question from How long will I live? to How can I maintain a sense of importance?
I once explored the seasons of life in a series. If you’re interested, you can find it here. I discussed how your 20s mark fresh beginnings, your 30s involve reassessment, and the 40s can be a challenging period.
And what about after turning 50?
It’s about investment.
The latter part of life should be focused on investing—financially, in terms of time, and in wisdom. The Bible indicates three areas for these investments: mentoring younger individuals, engaging with grandchildren, and supporting the local church.
Think about the influence Jethro had in advising Moses (Genesis 18), or how Lois, Timothy’s grandmother, encouraged him in his faith (2 Timothy 1). The clear directive is to immerse ourselves in the life of the Church and its mission to support others. Paul’s advice to Timothy resonates here:
“Tell those who have worldly wealth to stop being so self-absorbed and obsessed with money. Money is temporary. Teach them to follow God’s guidance, who provides us the wealth we can manage, so we can enrich ourselves through good deeds and generosity.”
“Then they will build a lasting treasury and have true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, The Message)
Wallace’s findings support this: “In my interviews, those who rediscovered their sense of being needed often followed a simple pattern: they identified real needs and met them with their time, talent, and treasure.”
That sounds a lot like what the Bible encourages.
The essence of valuing life lies in selflessness—living for others and building a legacy. It’s about investing in relationships, families, and the mission of Christ.
Then, truly, you needn’t fret over what matters.
because you are intentional.
james emery white
source of information
Jennifer Breheny Wallace, “The Retirement Crisis No One Warned You About: It Matters” Wall Street Journal January 16, 2026 read online.
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James Emery White is the founder and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as the seminary’s fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid church: Rethinking the Church for the Post-Christian Digital Age, now available on Amazon.
First publication date is January 29, 2026.
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