Driven along by life
Today my journal started with, "This month is over!" The end of May, where has this year gone? Am I the only one feeling like things are rushing past leaving a big blurr?
As I thought about the last few weeks and months, I realized I feel like I'm being driven along by forces hurtling me forward. Like a leaf being driven and careened by a wind gust hurtling along a street. I picture the leaf cartwheeling, touching down periodically but never long enough to rest or get traction. I feel like I'm trying to find a day, weekend or week to just slow things down so I can regroup and arrange my days, tasks, work and life. But life is not slowing down enough to plan or find traction to turn in a new direction.
"Stand firm..."
Ephesians 6:14 in the NIV starts with, "stand firm then." That's what I need to do. God has had me chewing on Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV),
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...
"Stand therefore..." I need to stand with my armor on. Stand within my windswept day and life. Stand and be strong...not in myself but in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
I can stop rushing!
That's my resolve. I can stop rushing. Normally, even how I get ready to go anywhere ends up in a rush. I don't need to live that way. When I stand firm, I can choose to embrace the limits, my limits—choose to embrace my limits of time, space, energy, relationships, activities and even finances. God gives me the opportunity to live within what I can do instead of worrying about everything beyond my limits.
Breathe! I am supposed to live within limits. I can slow it all down. My life has value and I am worth slowing down for. God is not asking me to live like the cartwheeling leaf. In fact, as my friend Rita Nussli once said to me, "say 'no' to everything except what God compels you to say 'yes' to." I need to practice that!
"Lord, I love you. Help me to focus on you, live for you and plan my life according to your will and plan. Please help me live within limits. Transform me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen."
