Ugh, I hate looking at my blog and seeing my last entry was in July. Once again I feel like I have dropped the ball and let life get the better of me and my time. But did it? Did life 'get the better of me?' It's true that I haven't posted anything in a while, but there is a big reason. I've been experiencing a dry spell - particularly when it comes to writing, or simply in trying to get my thoughts in any semblance of sensible and logical meaning. Dry bones. My thought process seems like the valley of the dry bones where God placed the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37.1-14).
At the moment, I feel like I'm better navigating through the valley, compared to a few weeks ago when the drought seemed deep and overwhelming. I think I'm navigating better because I'm not consumed by the thought of dry bones taking over. I recall the conversation between God and Ezekiel: "Human one, can these bones live again?" "Lord God, only you know." "Prophesy over these bones...I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again." And I believe God is breathing into the dry bones of life's present moment. Once again...life.
I realize that life has its ups and downs, sowing and reaping, fertile and arid times. And through all these times God is present. God is present in the crispness of the morning air that signals the impending autumnal equinox. God is present when people rally around a family who loses a loved one. God is present when we accomplish the impossible. God is present when the impossible seems to swallow us whole. God is present when we walk through the valley of the dry bones. God's breath flows through the four winds and touches all of Creation. God breathes life.
Maybe time spent in the valley of the dry bones is God's way of inviting us to be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46.10), and to be quiet so that we can hear God in the thin quietness (1 Kings 19.12). The question is, will I allow my spirit the time to be quiet, especially when it's restless? When it seems to be yelling at me to 'do something' will I just 'be' with God - not because I need answers or direction or purpose, but just so that I can be with God? Society screams to us westerners to be producers...doers. And God wants us to be doers...of compassion, justice, mercy, etc. But God also wants us to be still and to find the peace that transcends our human understanding (Philippians 4.7) so that our hearts and minds will be guarded from the hot dry winds of the valley.
Stop. Rest. Listen. Open our hearts and minds. Take in peace. Share life when it's fresh and when it's crispy. Love. Trust. Laugh. Cry. Be.
Well, as you know I am rarely at a lack for words so I just share them with you sit back because I have several...
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was... oh, must be time for a change of scenery, you guys need to come visit us! And of course you are always welcome to stay with us. You could plan for the band to play at the soup kitchen! (just a thought)
Second thought: each season prepares us for the seasons that will follow. Who knows what you will need a dry spell for in the future, but if I was gambling kinda gal, I would say that the lessons of being vigilant and patient are gonna come in handy.
3rd thought addresses the "guilt" that comes from looking at silent blog... been there done that. And here are my 2 cents: You must remember that you are not the creator of the message. You are simply the vessel. Sitting on the bench waiting for your assignment is WAY harder than carrying out the assignment. Folks like you and me love spreading the message and we are overjoyed when we are brimming with a message God has laid upon us to share with His people. So, it should be expected for us to feel weird or uncomfortable without that message flowing through us.
So that brings me back full circle... Go visit your peeps in South Charlotte, come here and visit your M'ville peeps, pull out pictures of a ministry that moved you in some way so that while you are waiting for you next new message you can revisit and enjoy that wonderful work He has granted you in the past.
Wow!! I'm, again, at a loss for words. What great words of encouragement, and I might add...spot on sister! Suzanne and I were just at Fair View on Sept 9th. I did the Homecoming message! It was so fun! But we need to come down and visit y'all! Would be good to spend time with the fam! Thanks for the very encouraging words. :-)
DeleteOk... you are in big trouble now! You were here and didn't tell us you were coming? You will have lots to say after I go over there and give you a piece of my mind. I've been doing Taekwondo for a year now, I may not be a black belt but I have picked up a few things. You better be prepared!
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