Embracing the Here and Now
By Lexi Ellis
“For this God is
our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.”
Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
he will be our guide even to the end.”
Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
“It’s not a bad situation; there’s just
a lot of unknown right now,” I told a friend. Life wasn’t bad. It wasn’t a
crisis. And it wasn’t anyone’s fault. But there were a few things hanging in
the air, left undone, still unknown…
Because I’m a planner, this season is
clearly an opportunity for me to keep depending on God. I know that trusting
Him during the waiting is right. But I’d been wanting the feelings of anxiety
and “what ifs” to stop, as well.
And then, I received an email from Amy Simpson. She’s a mental health advocate/writer/speaker. I’d signed up
for her newsletter when she spoke at our church several months
ago. In it, she wrote:
What about you? Where has your
journey through life brought you? Someplace unexpected? Your plans may be a
distant memory; your life may look nothing like what you envisioned for
yourself and the people you love. That doesn't mean you're in the wrong place.
God is ready to teach you and use you wherever you are, in whatever you are
walking through. Your life, and your choices, matter anywhere and everywhere.
[1]
Yes, we sometimes need to be reminded
that God uses every situation: the seasons of waiting, our individual unknowns,
or the “How did we get here?”
surprise. Because God uses the impossible for “…such a time as this.” And
because God comforts and teaches us through whatever the season is - - a season
of joy, of crisis or of the unknown. [2]
In Exodus 33, Moses has a powerful encounter
with God. After feeling like there were still too many unknowns, Moses
beseeches God to “…teach me Your ways.” God replies in the next verse, “My Presence
will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Moses’ response is not, “Great. Now
it’s all better.” Instead, Moses reveals
his heart: a heart that longs to be in continued relationship and learning. He
then asks, “Please show me Your glory.” And God responds to Moses with a
reminder of His goodness, mercy and compassion. [3]
God doesn’t always reveal a solution
to the unknown, but He always gives His very presence, comfort and teaching.
The questions today remain: Will I let go of the knowing, and instead choose to
embrace the here and now? Will I ask God to show me His glory instead of
answers to the unknown?
[2] Esther 4:14
[3] Exodus 33:12-19
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take the risk. Instead of praying
for answers, pray for God to show you His glory.
2. Think back to times God has shown
up in faithfulness and comfort.
FURTHER READING:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have a dog named Calvin and love
to travel. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with
Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
