On the desk in the kitchen, next to the computer and a stack of mail, are two squares of carpet in various shades of tan, samples for deciding which color we’ll walk upon, up three flight of stairs.
In my hands, I hold a cup of Yorkshire Gold with a splash of almond milk swirled in. On the coaster is a glass holding a breakfast kale and blueberry shake. I decided on a scoop of peanut butter plopped in for a change. My son’s bacon and cheese sandwich is on a plate, ready and waiting for him on the counter.
Awakening on November 11, 2016 requires I make decisions that affect me and those in my house. Countless choices in the span of less than an hour are mine to make.
As the sun rises, freedom to choose is the gift God gives to each of us every single day.
How will I choose to live? How will I enjoy God? This is the invitation of friendship He continually extends.
Pondering Psalm 23 as I read it on the screen, I interpret the verses as answers for political unrest. I hear Him asking questions as I meditate on each word and sentence.
Maybe the questions aren’t just for me?
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
What am I wanting that the blood of Jesus isn’t enough?
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
Who is leading me? Where am I being led? Is what I am participating in restoring my soul?
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Like the Psalmist, let’s turn our attention from God as someone we know about to the God we encounter, from referring to God as He to an intimate relationship with You.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
How am I choosing to comfort anxiety during tenuous times of uncertainty? Am I numbing or healing the pain?
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Do I believe you can prepare a table for me in the wilderness? Is your abundance greater than my despair?
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
How are my words, influence, and choices illustrating that I believe this is true?
Let’s be a people characterized as being led by Who we know and not what hear. As individuals that trust solely in Jesus who died a terrible death for our sins.
May we interpret restlessness caused by uncertainty not as a life sentence but as an opportunity to encounter Jesus more intimately. Waiting for Christ to come does some good work within us.
Perhaps the redemption from anxiety caused by the unknowns is that we remember how much we need Him, how little of life we really control.