Why I Believe in an Encore (Not Retirement)

I was reading my Bible this morning when one small verse grabbed me by the shoulders and whispered, “This is it. This is your message.”

“Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:1 NLT

As soon as I read it, everything in me lit up. This is why I believe so deeply in the Encore Season. This is why the word “retirement” has never felt like the end of the story. And this is why I can confidently say that your encore years are not a wind-down—they are a calling.

Let me tell you why.

Retirement Was Never Meant to Mean “Stop Serving”

Many people are surprised when they learn the Bible mentions retirement. It does—once. In Numbers 8, God gives instructions for the Tabernacle Levites:

They were to step back from heavy labor at age 50…

BUT then continue serving by assisting the younger Levites and guarding the Tabernacle.

They shifted roles.

They changed responsibilities.

But they did not stop serving.

There is no verse where God says,

“Okay, now just sit back, disengage, and stop contributing.”

Why?

Because as long as we have breath, God has purpose. As long as we wake up in the morning, there is work to do—Kingdom work, heart work, people work. Serving doesn’t end with age; it simply transforms into something richer, deeper, and more aligned with who we truly are.

Your Encore Is Not a Season of Decline—It’s a Season of Assignment

Your encore years are not leftovers.

They are not “what’s left after your good years.”

Your encore is your second act—the season God designed for you to rise, renew, and re-ignite who you’ve always been.

Think about this:

• You have wisdom you didn’t have at 20.

• You have experience gained by walking through fire.

• You have perspective, compassion, and grace that only come with living life.

• You have strength that comes from getting back up again and again.

This doesn’t disqualify you from purpose.

It prepares you for it.

This is the season where your gifts matter more than ever.

This is when your voice carries weight.

This is when your influence is needed.

You are not finished.

You are finally ready.

Encore Living Is About Service—Not Slowing Down

Encore does not mean “keep hustling harder.”

It does not mean ignoring rest or pretending you’re 30 again.

Encore means shifting into your God-designed purpose with clarity, intention, and joy.

It might look like:

• mentoring the next generation

• volunteering in a community you care about

• building a business with meaning

• leading others through your story

• stepping into ministry

• helping women rediscover themselves

• guiding others toward healthier, more purposeful lives

Your encore might be quieter or gentler—but it is no less powerful.

The Levites didn’t “retire” to disappear.

They retired to support, protect, and serve in a new way.

So do we.

2 Corinthians 4:1 — The Heart of Holistic Aging Pathways

When I read that verse this morning, it felt like a declaration over this entire movement:

“God in His mercy has given us this new way…

we never give up.”

Holistic Aging Pathways is built on this truth:

Aging is not the end of your calling.

It is the beginning of clarity.

This journey is about returning home to yourself—

to the health your body was created for,

and the purpose God placed in you from the beginning.

It’s about shedding the world’s version of aging

and stepping into God’s version of freedom.

And now, I know without a doubt that 2 Corinthians 4:1 will be the verse that anchors this mission, this calling, and this encore movement.

You Are Still Needed—More Than Ever

Friend, hear me:

You have never been as useful as you are right now.

Your experiences have shaped you.

Your failures have taught you.

Your resilience has strengthened you.

Your faith has deepened you.

God doesn’t waste years—He prepares you with them.

You are needed.

Your story is needed.

Your gifts are needed.

YOU are needed.

Your encore isn’t optional.

It’s your invitation.

This Is Your Encore

This is the season where you rise.

This is where you rediscover who God created you to be.

This is where your wisdom becomes someone else’s lifeline.

This is where your purpose becomes your legacy.

You don’t retire from purpose.

You rise into it.

Your encore is calling.

And it's time to step into it with confidence, clarity, and courage.