Whoo-ee it has been busy around here.
Highlights include… Lena’s birthday, getting a new job, Thanksgiving and related camping (which entails prep for that defined downtime), Advent, Kip’s birthday planning, transitioning at work, UAT at current job (really busy time), figuring out benefits for new job, and Christmas visits/prep all happening in about 9 weeks.
The Pope Tweets really keep me going when I don’t have the time/energy for anything more detailed beyond our MVP (minimum viable prayers ;).
This one is a few days old but struck me as a really good one to reflect on during times like my current time:
This is the attitude of a true apostle: to go confidently forward, preferring the uncertainty of unexpected situations rather than force of habit. This courage is born from confident trust in God’s greatness who loves to work through our lowliness. #ApostolicJourney
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 4, 2021
I love the idea of going boldly, with confidence but not because I have a plan and trust in myself, but because I know that God, like the good Father He is, will help put up some guardrails for me and save me from myself (and my related lowliness) if it comes to that. As Scripture says:
When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
your mercy, LORD, holds me up.
Psalm 94:18-19
I also love the idea that the unexpected is something to prefer over things to which I am accustomed. I’ve almost completed the Bible in a Year podcast and we’re whirlwinding through Paul’s final letters. One constant appears to be that Paul goes where he’s called, and he expects trouble and to be put to shame (and jail). In fact, he states in several ways that he’s cool with that treatment in order to build the faith of others. What an example of someone on a seemingly endless quest, fraught with to-do items (Corinth, check, Ephesus, check, Galatia(?), check…), unexpected twists… and yet he’s … at peace, emboldened, and unafraid.
God is the reason I do not need to be afraid. He will help me in my time of need when I ask, and that should embolden me (ok but also encourage me to discern if what I need emboldening for is the right thing!)
In the midst of life, God is here. He’s planned to be here, and He’s planned to bless and take care of me in this time.
I intentionally did not use the phrase “in the midst of chaos” because I think chaos is a relative term. Things appear in chaos when the larger plan is not in perspective. The closer aligned I get with God’s perspective, the less chaotic life is. It is and was and will be a journey of love, where I boldly go where no wo(man) has gone before — my own unique path — but one that I travel with the Author of Life Himself.
Let us pray:
Loving God, help me to center on You, the creator of all things, at all times.
From You come all things good and beautiful and whole.
Give me the grace and wisdom to steward Your gifts of Time and Life to give You Honor, to bring me closer to You, and for the good of building Your Kingdom.
In all times and all seasons, You are King.
Reign in my life, now, and always.