Being Still While the World Spins
Life’s been crazy this week–it always is. I look at my life and the opportunities that I have to affect people and it’s almost overwhelming. We are working on ideas, plans, dreams for things that we do in Africa to reach into the lives of literally thousands of children. It’s fun, scary, frustrating, humbling, tiring… the list goes on. But what an honor to be able to serve God in this way.
And in the midst of all this craziness, I decide to try to start organizing a garage sale. Dumb to do right now, but it needs to be done. But maybe God used this dumb idea to remind me of something. While I’m going through boxes and boxes of things we’d put aside in storage, I came across a ton of family photos. I sat still for long enough to look at my kids and realize how fast time is passing. I hate that!
So how do we keep up pace with the opportunities in ministry, but at the same time be still long enough to enjoy the “moments” in our life? And even more, how do we “be still and know” that God is God and enjoy those moments? It has to be possible, but it sure is hard to figure that one out.
Balance has to be the word. The weight of each moment, opportunity, idea and dream has to be evaluated and balanced one to another. Some would be too heavy and tip the scale. Others might not have enough weight and go unnoticed, but may be the very ones that need the most attention.
The other thing that I have to keep reminding myself is that life is not just about my moments and dreams. My kids have dreams that I want to make sure I’m helping to inspire. I have friends and people around me who have big dreams, too. I have to stay aware of them because sometimes God wants me to set myself aside and help. And sometimes those dreams merge with mine and we are able to accomplish more. And when that happens, we’re able to accomplish more for God because we’re not having to carry the full load on our own. And when we’re not carrying the full load, we have more capacity for the quiet, still moments.
So today I’m praying for stillness and craziness, quiet and chaos and the right people to help keep all of it in balance.
I really am suprised at your great writing ability!
You are so right about all this. I think it goes with what Lance preached on this weekend too. I think about all that is being sacrificed financially in our lives so that I can have more time for my family and for ministry and sometimes it seems un realisitic and irresponsible to not be erning as much income as I can BUT then peace floods me and I know that this sacrifice is worth it. My kids need me and as you said, you look back and realize to many years have gone by. I have to trust God for the money we need to live and I have to know He will provide because I know He wants me where I am right now. We have already seen God provide. He is good.
Awesome! Great thing to pray for
Amen! So true!! Balance…..what a mouthful!