Looking Ahead to Hindsight...

As we've been approaching the New Year, our family has been thinking through some big questions. We've been taking a real hard look at our life and looking at it from the perspective of 30-40 years from now. Do you ever think about that? It sure brings up A LOT of questions...

Did we follow our God-given passions or sell out to someone else's idea of success?

Were we obedient? The first time, every time, and with a happy heart?

Will we have accomplished what we felt we needed to or did we waste most of our time?

Did we do absolutely everything we could to honor our marriage?

How will we be seen by those around us? Faithful? Joyful? Kind? Peaceful?

Will we have any regrets?

Were we ACTIVELY involved in raising our children to the best of our ability?

Did we pursue health in all aspects or did we allow unhealth to seep in?

Even as I write these questions, I'm kinda scared to answer these now. So, how do we make sure that we will be able to answer these with no hesitation and with ethusiasm?

As you may know, 10 years ago, Heather and I took a huge step and obeyed a call made on our lives. Although it was scary, it was the best ride we've ever been on. We saw miracles happen frequently and our direction was clear. I'm not kidding, our paths really were straight! Even though that phase didn't end the way we planned, our hearts and our marriage were in the best place they could be. It was a life of living with no regrets...

10 years have passed now and we continue to see blessings and miracles come our way, regardless of the amount of our faithfulness. We look around and see more than we deserve and we are watching Sy be healed from a disease with no cure! From the outside, everything is perfect. We have pursued the more "traditional" route and it's worked out fairly well. Even though our resources don't add up on paper, God has provided for us in huge ways. Our life has definitely felt like Elijah in 1 Kings 17:

God then told Elijah, “Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I’ve ordered the ravens to feed you.” Elijah obeyed God’s orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook. Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: “Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I’ve instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.”

But, the question is, what do you do when you sense your brook has dried up? What do we do when we feel that God is calling us to a new life? How do we not question God and say that the way he has been providing was just fine and we'd prefer to just keep things that way?

"Before we respond, could You please give specifics on how exactly you will provide next?"

"Lord, it just doesn't make sense to change things now!"

"Even though we are continuing to struggle, look at all the work we've done to get here! And we may not be able to get back here if Your plan doesn't pan out!"

These are all conversations and feelings that have been stirring around... However, when the worrying settles down and we stop and listen to our hearts, we know that we have been circumventing the life we were created for. Oh brother, if you only knew the things we have considered...

Late last night, Heather and I came across a network of people who have left the life they knew to live a fuller life. An abundant life. A life of spending time investing in a Kingdom, rather than things we could care less about. A life to use the gifts we love to use, rather than burying them deep under busyness, menial tasks, and stress. A life that doesn't push our faith, our marriage, our children, and our friends to the side. It's calling to us...in a big way.

But how do we get from here to there? Open doors, Lord! We're ready!

"You have 22 new messages."

I’m so busy.   Life is crazy.    I can’t breathe.    I’m tired.    I’m stressed.    It’s chaotic. 

So lately I’ve been doing a lot of listening, studying, and soul searching in regards to busyness. It seems like I hear people over and over talk about how busy they are, how tired they are, or how crazy their lives have become. In this age, we are overwhelmed with emails, voicemails, facebook notifications, text messages, etc. We can never just power off, or so we think. We lose our sense of margin. We are always running from one activity or event to the next... Our time of “rest” entails grabbing a cup of coffee at our local Starbucks usually with our laptop or phone in hand. Sometimes it’s like we almost measure people’s “success” based on what their calendar looks like and how booked out they are. “Maybe we can get together in three weeks?” I often hear moms applauded for all that they do--the busier, the better. And if they manage to do this, this, this, this and this... Wow! Then they are really amazing! On the other hand, if you are a person that does have any time or extra margin in your life, you must be a loser that doesn’t get invited out to do much. 

We can even be busy for the sake of the gospel but meanwhile, are we “losing our own souls?” I can be as busy, scheduled, and stressed out as the next person but internally I struggle with this because for me, once I start running ragged my spiritual life definitely takes a nose dive. Where is the joy He promises? Christ died to give us the abundant life. I’m not sure that the word abundant here equates an overly full calendar with our reminder alarms going off every five minutes. I’m learning that the abundant life is a choice and that we are not victims of our schedule or how we spend our time (and I seem to forget this daily and have to keep reminding myself over and over). :)

I think the Scriptures are clear and Elijah can attest that God doesn’t always yell but rather gently whispers (1 Kings 19:11-12). I just love this passage... So I have to be self-reflective, “Am I taking the time to hear His gentle whispers? Am I listening at all? Am I quiet and still before Him? What does that even look like?” “Where is my joy?”

Soul care is something that I’ve realized through the years is absolutely necessary, although definitely not something I have mastered. Our mentor and dear friend, Stephen Smith, has written several amazing books but I am currently enjoying his one entitled Soul Custody--Choosing To Care For the One and Only You. He states that we are given only one life to live. We can’t go back and hit the re-start button. “...the message of soul care seems to contradict some of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, like, ‘Deny yourself,’ and, ‘The man who hates his life will keep it?’” But Steve beautifully writes, “Caring for your soul is never a selfish or egotistical act. It’s really an act of stewardship. We steward our souls by caring for them well. How can we continually give what we do not have? Caring for the soul is an act through which God can replenish your heart, restore your soul, and revive your day so you can meet the challenges of life, work, and relationships. Far from being labeled as sin, soul care is actually a biblical command.”

Proverbs 4:23:  “Above all else, guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life.”

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently.”

God invites us to rest easy in Him and only after that can we effectively love and minister to those around us--whether it’s our spouse, our children, friends, or others in need. Jesus was a great example of this cycle in his life. I’m learning that if I have put nothing into my own soul care then how can I pour myself out for others? 

So anyway, I’m loving this mighty reminder to take custody of my soul and to step further into intimacy with God. It’s something worth fighting for! It’s easy to get caught up with thinking that I don’t have the time but really, what else is more crucial and satisfying than resting completely in the arms of our Savior? Just to rest... soak in his love... feel his embrace... lay my burdens at his feet... let my worries fade away... and know in my innermost being that I am His beloved. 

“Soul Custody is a clarion call--a prophetic call to do something significant with your life before it’s too late.”  --Gary Chapman