For those of you who may be new to reading these posts, know that the things I share, I write as much for myself as anyone else. The ideas and words flow from what God is teaching me every day and prompting me to share. They are only meant to show honest vulnerability and point directly back to Jesus, sharing my journey in hopes that some of those reading will be encouraged, inspired, motivated, convicted or challenged to dive deeply along with me and grow closer to our Savior. They never come from a place of judgement or condemnation. 

When this social distancing thing started almost two weeks ago for us, I freely admit it made me angry. And until a few days ago, I fought hard against accepting this new normal. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why it needs to happen. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I share that to say that once I stopped fighting and started listening, I realized that God had been and is speaking to me and I haven’t been listening. For a while now, I have been craving time and space to seek God’s direction for this season of my life. Where does he want me to work, serve, live, etc.. What I have come to realize is that he is giving just what I have been craving, it’s just not in the way or place I had hoped. So I almost missed it and him.

For those of you who don’t know me let me provide a bit of context for understanding. We have two adult-ish daughters. Our oldest is out of school and teaching full time. While our youngest, has only one year of college remaining before she enters the work force full time. One of the places I serve at church is in our High School Ministry and my “girls” are seniors which means they are graduating in a couple of months and my time with them is coming to an end. I work part time at church and have been playing around with this writing thing for a couple of years now. Considering all these things I feel like I’m at a crossroads of sorts. Do I stay the course in my current areas of serving and working or is God calling me to move on to something new and different? These are the questions and decisions that have been swirling in my mind. 

These past few days I’ve been taking some long walks. Just me, our dog and my Spotify playlist. Being quiet and listening as I walk. It’s been interesting to realize how free from distractions my mind has been. So many of the normal things that thoughts and worries that fill my mind have been removed by this new way of living. My mind has been free to more fully listen and pay attention. 

All of this is probably way too much background information to get to my point – which is two fold. The first being that God is speaking to you and me everyday. But far too often we are too busy, too distracted, too loud, too whatever to realize it, let alone hear him. We/I need to do a better job of embracing the quiet, however it comes and listening so we don’t miss God.  The second thing I have been struck by is the lyrics in the songs that I listen to and sing. It makes me wonder if we, as Christians know the words we are singing. Yeah, we know the words, but do we really realize what we are saying? Here are just a few songs and a line or two from each that touched my heart today . If you are not familiar with them, take a few minutes to look them up and take a listen. 

Breathe – Jonny Diaz 

Breathe, just breathe, come and rest at my feet, and be, just be. (This tells me to stop, take a breath and focus all of me on Jesus)

You Can Have my Whole Heart Jesus – Jason Ellsworth Band (The name says it all here – no reason to expand).

Singing in the Victory-Austin Stone Worship 

I will not be anxious, Jesus you are near (Good reminder these days). I’m standing on the promise, the promise of new life (Jesus provides us a firm foundation on which to stand)

Christ be Magnified – Matt Brock                       

I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You (Idols, they are many and easy to miss being recognized as idols). And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice ’cause You’re there too (Jesus is wherever we are).  I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true (Just because I feel something, doesn’t make it true). If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You (This means I am willing to die to self and live for Jesus).

Nothing Else – Cody Carnes                   

I’m caught up in Your presence (There is no place like it. This entire song just wrecks me) I just want to sit here at Your feet, I’m caught up in this holy moment, I never want to leave

These are just a few, there are so many more. My encouragement and challenge to you is to really pay attention, listen and engage in the often familiar words you sing. Plus I’d love to hear your favorites, so please share. As far as where God is leading – I’m still not sure. I’m waiting, listening and am confident that the answer will come.