Category: A word in season

We’ve been stuck in this holding pattern for a while now. Things we thought were going to be temporary haven’t been. What we thought would be brief has been long and drawn out, maybe even uncomfortable. So what do we do in the mean time? Do we just settle for this less than ideal existence? Well, yes. And no.

Not normal

I struggled in the beginning. I still have moments. This time we are in right now is not normal. It doesn’t feel normal. This isn’t the way it used to be. The previous patterns have started to fade in the distance. Some of those experiences barely a memory. Oh, remember when we used to… how we used to…

These temporary circumstances don’t feel quite so temporary anymore.

Supposed to be

What if we’re supposed to be doing something with this time? Instead of waiting it out, wading into whatever we thought was supposed to be a brief inconvenience. Stepping into the mess, complexity, and uncertainty of navigating a new way to be in this moment.

New routine

I’ve had to establish a new routine, perspective, way of looking at things, and going about things. The longer I spend in this in between place, the more I sense I’m supposed to grow roots, establish myself where I am.

Growing phase

This is not a passing phase, but a growing phase. A place and time to adapt, grow, learn, and live deeply into our circumstances.

Sustainable

Don’t settle for a passing phase. Make the most of this time and establish new habits and patterns that are sustainable and life-giving.

Establish deeper roots

What if we’re in this place of personal purgatory so God can establish deeper roots in our hearts?

Will we settle into a space to receive more deeply from Jesus?

Will we rest in the Word of God, let it enter our hearts and develop roots, and grow deeply into our being?

Improve

Maybe we’re not supposed to settle for getting by but to improve.

Become better.

How would we look at this time if that were our goal?

A new normal. Finding a pattern, a path, a plan in the midst of unstable ground.

Is the ground unstable or is my view of it unstable?

Settle in

When God sent the Israelites into exile in a foreign land He didn’t tell them to stand in the corner until the time out was over. He told them to get to work about setting up and settling in.

^“This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies, the God of Israel, says to all those people he sent away from Jerusalem as captives to Babylon:

‘Build houses and settle in the land. Plant gardens and eat the food you grow.’” Jeremiah 29:4-5 ICB

What are you feeding yourself? What are you filling up on?

Establish good habits

God wanted the people to establish roots in their lives, both literally and figuratively. Create sustainability. This was not going to be a temporary holding pattern. The people under these circumstances were to go about their lives under their new normal conditions.

In these patterns they were to establish good habits. Peace-building habits.

^“Also do good things for the city where I sent you as captives. Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living. If there is peace in that city, you will have peace also.” Jeremiah 29:7 ICB

So in this season when so much is on hold, postponed, or delayed, don’t delay in establishing patterns of peace, prayer, and doing good things.

A few recent posts about peace and priorities:

Finding peace and priority in the presence of Jesus

In between – the place we find Jesus

In the middle – where to focus in the midst of change

Sure God calls us to do stuff. But if we miss the memo, don’t listen, or simply ignore Him, will we have missed our only opportunity?

God invites

In the Bible there’s a girl named Esther. She’s minding her own business when God invites her to do something dangerous and remarkable. Not dangerous for God, just risky for her. Esther initially hesitates, then does what God asks. This is the shortened version. You can read her full story in the Book of Esther in the Bible. Yup, that’s right. Her obedience led to a book deal.

God’s plan

A key phrase in the book of Esther is, “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

This short phrase comes with a live or die motto, but in my mind it simultaneously shows God’s bigger plan and hints at a smaller one.

Life-changing moment

Esther’s whole life leads to this life-changing moment if she chooses to do what God asks of her.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV

Overlooked

Most people focus on the last five words. I want to look at a different five that can get lost and overlooked in the middle.

The key phrase I’m looking at is “will arise from another place.”

If Esther doesn’t speak up, God will use someone else to carry out His plan. Esther will have missed her opportunity to serve God and her people in this way.

Miss your turn

But I don’t believe this is a one and done sort of thing. I don’t think God’s handing out assignments and if you miss your turn or your place in line you’ve lost out.

Ideas

Over the past few months (I can’t believe I’m saying months) I’ve had a few ideas on what to post on the blog. Ideas that were very time sensitive, kind of like buying a winter coat before November. Some ideas I ran with:

Offer grace and compassion to one another

Did anybody notice? Look forward in a new way

Others I didn’t.

God didn’t stop

Here’s what I want you to hear. God didn’t stop using me to share ideas. He just didn’t use me to share those ideas, the ones I didn’t write about. Probably gave that opportunity to someone else, but He didn’t write me off.

Accepted the assignment

Here’s the lesson I learned. The next time God put an idea into my head I accepted the assignment and wrote the blog post. And guess what? I heard back from people that it spoke to them. So God hadn’t given up on me and still had some tasks I could do to serve others.

Don’t give up

So if you feel like you’ve missed an opportunity, don’t give up.

Don’t give up on yourself.

Don’t give up on the idea that God can still use you to serve others in some way.

Don’t give up on God.

Because God hasn’t given up on you.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Reflecting on the many different opinions on masks that I’ve observed over the past several weeks, I pondered what might be behind the mask.

To mask or not to mask?

I was in a meeting this week, well you know, with a computer interface looking at the faces of five friends. We were talking about in-person gatherings and mask wearing.

I started thinking about different ways people have been associated with masks. I’m just going to focus on three: wearing them, not wearing them, or making them.

Now if you ask people, some have pretty strong opinions about their position, others may just “go along to get along.”

What had my curiosity was why people had so many different opinions on the topic.

What’s behind the mask?

Some people wear them out of a sense of duty or responsibility. For others in an at-risk category, the mask may mean safety. For someone else it’s oppressive or restrictive in one way or another. And for another making masks is a way to make a difference.

While some people have stepped toward the mask, others have stepped away from it, but we’ve all been impacted and affected by it. I think this is by design.

A wise friend once told me that God allows issues to rise to the surface so that we can deal with them. This also means He can deal with them.

Masking my emotions

I don’t know about you, but when I’m stressed, I’m not good at masking my true emotions or feelings. Whatever effort I’ve taken prior to that point to gloss over, disguise, or cover up what’s bothering me, rises to the surface.

Often times I might try to stuff it down. But other times, when I take the time to address what’s behind the intensity of my feelings, especially when I invite Jesus along for the emotional roller coaster ride, I get closer to the real reason behind the mask.

I get closer to Jesus.

Not alone

And when I recognize that I am not alone in this way of thinking, this way of being in the world, I can offer grace to someone else and their stance, knowing that I don’t know what’s behind the mask for them.

Stress fractures

In our conversation on Friday, I mentioned what I’m calling, “stress fractures.”

These moments of stress start to fracture our façade, the mask we try to keep in place.

Weaken the wall

The beauty of these stress fractures is that they weaken the wall we place around our hearts and more of our true selves starts to seep out. And the more we allow our true selves to be exposed, the more we are exposed to the unconditional love of Jesus, who loves us in spite of our flaws and weaknesses.

He also loves those around us in spite of theirs.

Jesus loves

So as we go about our business with our masks firmly, or not so firmly, in place, may we remember that Jesus loves each one of us unconditionally.

Jesus loves me this I know or do I?

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me. Psalm 139:1 NIV

What am I doing differently these days? With thoughts running in my head throughout the day, adding one simple step helps me see where my focus is.

What’s on my mind

I’ve been journaling for a while now, about ten minutes in the morning. I write what’s on my mind, then invite Jesus to speak into it. I try to pause and listen for a response, thoughts which come to my heart that I can write down.

Intentionally focus

Because I also seem to have a running conversation in my head, I’ve started writing out reflections as well. I realized this was a way to intentionally focus on what already had my attention or was preoccupying my thoughts. I try to sit down and write about it so I can focus on the topic and write down what comes to mind.

Pause

You may or may not have moments during which you can pause. Often times, life doesn’t allow for the sit down intentional place of focus.

I have noticed, when I’m going about my day that I can pause in the middle of my thoughts and see if I’ve brought Jesus into the conversation.

Where my focus is

What’s that supposed to mean, you ask? Well, if I’m preoccupied with something, that’s where my focus is. If I take just a moment to ask a question like, “Jesus, what’s your perspective on this? What are your thoughts?” I’m now focused on Jesus and not just my thoughts. I’ve invited Him into the conversation. All that time He’s been waiting patiently for me to invite Him into this aspect of my life.

Invite Jesus

Give it a try sometime. If you have a bunch of thoughts running through your head, maybe something that’s weighing you down or is taking up more of your attention than you’d prefer, then invite Jesus into the conversation. No fancy words needed. You don’t even have to pray, though some might see this as a way to pray. What’s important is to invite Jesus into the space.

Invitation to speak

I have wise friends. You know, the ones who never say anything until you invite them to speak. Then they share the most amazing piece of insight you wish you’d heard long before you spent a bunch of time preoccupied by whatever was weighing you down. In this type of scenario, think of Jesus like that. He’s like that wise friend, patiently listening, thoughtfully reflecting, and waiting for the invitation to speak lovingly into your life.

Will you invite Him to speak?

“The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words. That’s because God gives the Holy Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has put everything into his hands.” John 3:34-35 NIRV

More thoughts on where to focus:

Where to focus in the midst of change

How to simply pray