So Much Better
Wow, I’m grateful for the improvement since I last blogged. I did three things that really helped pull me out of that downward spiritual spiral we all can fall into: I put additional intentionality back in place to stay connected better (got my watch beeping to remind me, and when I felt stressed I slowed down to talk it over with the Lord), and more importantly I set aside extended time for solitude and decompression last weekend. It’s amazing how three hours of hiking or sitting quietly with no noise, just talking things over with God, can clear out the fog and bring back the light of hope.
Another thing I found helped is I went back to meditating on God’s Word. I had been reading a book that I got so caught up in, I started to slack in my nightly ritual of reading and meditating on the words of Scripture. I started back, and it reminded me again of how God’s Spirit uses his Word to guide and instruct and reveal things to us. There’s a reminder Paul gives to the church in Corinth about the purpose of the stories of faith and failure and God’s will and ways written down in Scripture: “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)
I find that this simple practice of reading through a 365-day Bible (one that gives a passage from the Old Testament, New Testament and Psalms or Proverbs each day that gets you through the Bible in a year) helps me immensely. It’s all in the attitude with which you approach it. I try to read with the intent of listening to God’s Spirit as I reflect on an Old Testament story (what does this teach me about You Lord, or about people like me?), or the words of Jesus or the instruction given to first century churches (what do You want me to know, see, or do with this, Lord?) Holding up what I’m reading like a mirror through which to reflect on my own life, asking God’s Spirit to teach me and meet with me as I ponder what I read, letting it turn into a free flowing conversation…this has been a practice God has used to lead and guide me in very helpful ways. It’s not always a warm-fuzzy, electric experience—sometimes it’s just simply realizing or learning something I didn’t know, sometimes it’s asking God questions that still puzzle me, sometimes there is that “ah-ha” spark of realization that enlightens and leads me to a better place.
Intentionality seems to be a major thrust these days. I liked your ideas to be reminded.
Comment by lvshope — December 18, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
I was pleased to see that you are still blogging here, John. I wasn’t sure how much action the site would see once 60-60 was over. I personally haven’t blogged in over a month. Last week my wife & I went out on a date and she made me promise that I would really commit to recording my thoughts because we were both impressed by your example of being able to refer back to certain seasons of your life through your journals. I’ve always lacked the discipline to write, plus the enemy attacks me in this area - “no one cares what you have to say,” “look at you, trying to act like you’re intelligent,” “give up you fraud.” Even when we recognize what the enemy is doing it’s hard to call on God to show us a way out.
John, I also want to take a moment to personally wish you a Merry Christmas & blessed 2009. We’ve been at Gateway about 18 months after about a decade at a traditional denomination and we consider ourselves so blessed to have a new church home that is thriving, vibrant and alive. Instead of arguing about music styles & mission statements, Gateway is doing things and giving anyone with the courage to walk through the doors a chance to ask questions and grow. I’ve recently reconnected with an old friend through Facebook and discovered that he has abandoned the faith of our Catholic high school days and calls himself agnostic. We’ve been dialoging about faith and religion and I keep thinking “he would fit right in at Gateway!” I’m hoping he’ll allow me to send him a copy of No Perfect People Allowed so that he can see that one can take their tough questions to God. Thank you, John, for having the vision to create a place where the agnostic could feel at home.
Comment by notan — December 26, 2008 @ 8:54 am