Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Anticipation

I am at a crossroads of sorts. The life I've known for 26 years in Alaska is giving way to a new chapter of life in Florida. It's quite impossible to comprehend what awaits me in that new place. Beyond the obvious change in climate, there will be changes in wildlife, friendship, lifestyle, and church. I'm told I'll be watching out for alligators instead of moose!  There are bugs and snakes where I'm headed and many other things I have no experiential knowledge of. I can read about what awaits me and learn information, but none of that will give me experiential knowledge of Florida. They'll only give me head knowledge.

We've begun the season of anticipation (advent) the church observes each year.  We look back at the coming of God's Son to us in a poverty-stricken, God-blessed family and we look ahead to the return of Jesus in all the glory and power we're told of in the Bible. Trying to comprehend heaven and life after His return is quite impossible. When we read about heaven and our future with God in the Bible we get head knowledge, yet until we experience it, we'll not KNOW it.  We can hope for and be excited for it...we can ANTICIPATE that life.

Life on this side of heaven is good practice for what awaits us there. I'll still need to rely completely on God no matter where I am.  Life, now and in eternity, is a great adventure! I wonder what's REALLY around the corner.....

Monday, November 22, 2010

Peace that makes no sense

Philippians 4:6&7 say, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and the peace of God, that surpasses comprehension, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (NASU)

I am experiencing that peace in the midst of circumstances that are loaded with other feelings.  At any given moment I do feel fear and anxiety and uncertainty.  I am convinced my circumstances are not a mystery or surprise to God Who LOVES me and has GOOD plans for me. As I converse with Him about my feelings, hopes and my future, I am comforted in a place so deep, I can't describe it. The peace I feel makes no sense. It's delightful to live out a Bible verse and KNOW in my deepest parts it is true.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Following The LEADER

My life is in the vortex of significant changes. Such things have happened before, yet I find myself coping with this season in a more peaceful way. For the sake of my friends who struggle to rest in a mess, here are a few tips from the journey I've been on.

1. Expect that God is in control AND that His character (love, goodness, kindness, justice, mercy, compassion, grace, patience) is influencing the direction of what is happening.
2. Through that lens, keep a conversation going with God expressing all of your feelings, hopes, longings and fears.  Identify them so you are aware of what's going on in your heart.
3. When new twists on circumstances come your way, first engage with God on them. Ask what He intends in it.
4. Check your heart for pride. Get humble before God. You'll end up there eventually, it's far better to do so voluntarily.
5. REST in the day at hand. Worry won't affect outcomes and will only rob you of the good things in the day you have.