Are we Ready?
One thing that has become apparent in these last few months for many of us is our obsession with comfort.
We all just want things to go back to what we were used to. I wonder how many times this thought passed through the minds of the Israelites as they traveled through the desolation of the wilderness.
Does it not feel like a weight is stuck in our very core, and our minds continue to try and convince us of alternate paths to the ending of all of the confusion and transition we are facing.
Some of us are staring at empty bank accounts and no work or watching a friendship fall apart right before our eyes. Some of us are experiencing the loss of a loved one whom we cannot even honor properly. Others are missing out on the celebration of milestones that we were working so hard toward. And others are seeing their families ripped apart and worse. And yet we all feel the same, we have no way of making sense of any of it, we just keep waiting for it all to be over.
And it is in all of this, that is hovering over our world, that we are invited to ask this one question…
Are we ready?
Does the core of who we are when faced with this pain, this confusion, this agony, welcome fear or does it receive the invitation to sit with perfect Love and see into the truth of this world and our finite lives upon it. Does it cause us to glare at God with our feelings of His failure? Or does it welcome us to sit quietly in His lap, to hide in His shelter and simply wait and listen.
I am in no way saying that we should not feel pain or disappointment at our current losses. I am simply saying that as we choose to walk through our current circumstances, our spirit must not be led and overcome by them. And that the truth that we believe about who God is, and what His plan for us is, would trump any negative feelings and allow us to mourn our losses in His perfect peace.
We are a people who do not welcome purposeless pain. Instead we take every pain to the Healer and wait on Him to speak His truth over and through it.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you , so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (NASB)
So today, amidst our pain, tribulation and trial we will choose to:
-Trust His words
-Go to Him to receive peace
-Take courage, because He is in charge of the outcome and He is trustworthy.
This excerpt is from my newest book called, ‘Before the Clock Ticks’ and is very fitting to how our current situations feel.
“WHOAA!!!” I yell as I scoot back as far as I can. As soon as my brain catches up with what my eyes are perceiving I feel suddenly not as confident as before I sat down. I try to take a deep breath as I sit here, but I can’t seem to get any amount of oxygen in. Just then I hear him off to my right.
“Lewis, how are you, my friend?”
“Uh, I’ve been better,” I say as my voice trembles.
“Lewis are you scared of heights?”
“More like terrified,” I say still looking out in front of me.
“Oh my, then why are you so close to the edge?” He says laughing.
“Very funny, how do I get off of here?”
“Well, there are a couple of ways, but which would you prefer?”
“Um, the one that keeps me alive and not falling, and is really quick,” I respond through short and quick breaths.
“Hahaha Lewis, even when you’re scared you are still really funny. I love that about you,” he says as he walks across a very narrow path toward me. “Here let me help you up.”
“Ok, yeah, that’s good,” I say as I take his hands and allow him to pull me to my feet. “Where do we go now?”
“Before we go anywhere you’ve gotta calm down, you’ll get yourself killed out here like that.”
“Ok, how do I do that?” I say still holding onto all the panic as I gaze out over the expanse that falls suddenly past my feet.
“Well for starters, stop looking at all the things that are making you like that.”
“Oh yeah, ok, that’s good,” I say short of breath.
“Now Lewis, look at me.”
As my eyes meet his, I’m met with a confidence, unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I finally am able to take a deep breath that comes out so naturally. I feel the wind blowing against me and it feels refreshing instead of terrifying. It is as if he is more stable than even the mountain under my feet and with my hands in his and my eyes locked on him, fear vanishes.
“Now, follow me, Lewis,” he says as he turns and walks on the narrow path that he came from.
We walk for a little while when I realize I’m carrying a backpack that feels pretty heavy. The trail finally opens up and gives us more breathing room than before. He stops until I am beside him and then we continue walking side by side.
“Where are we Ammoris?”
“We are on our way to your freedom.”
For some of us, the first part of this story is our reality right now, and it is terrifying. And if that is the case, there is no shame in this, because it also means that the last line of this excerpt is also what is taking place.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus at all cost, and when our eyes begin to again get led to what’s around us, we must refocus, and renew our minds.
How we do this will look different for all of us, but ultimately, it is the practice of love that keeps us engaged. When you love someone you want to be near them.
So, find out this week what it is that helps you be near to Jesus, and then continually do those things. Don’t wait for the moments when fear is overtaking you. Do it continually in and out of your need, that way when the fear begins to rise up, you will be ready for it.
Blessings as you continue your journey with Jesus!
-Stephen