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“Change is always tough Even for those who see themselves as agents of change, the process of starting a new thing can cause times of disorientation, uncertainty and insecurity. “-Joyce Meyer
I went home for Christmas to visit my mother who has been ill. I made arrangements to take her to church for the first time in months, and to attend the family dinner in New Jersey, about an hour away from Philadelphia. It was a daunting task, but praise God it was accomplished. Leaving from the church versus our home, I found myself on a new highway. Philadelphia was familiar, but the road I was taking was uncharted. I was DISORIENTED -which means to make someone lose their bearings or sense of direction; to make someone feel confused or lose the sense of time,
place, or identity. I attempted to calmly navigate the change as the cars zoomed by or rode my bumper trying to make me go faster. My internal panic was not helped by my mother’s, “Are you lost?” I was relieved to find that the new highway was linked to a familiar one. Once I got to I95, my breathing relaxed and we arrived safely at our destination.
This time of year invites change. We make resolutions about the future. Proverbs 4:25-27 encourages us to “ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.” Though we ponder what we plan to do, we rarely consider how it will feel to actually DO it. If we really DO what we’ve set out to do, or GO where we’ve never gone before…we will at times feel disoriented. Even if our surroundings are familiar but we’re taking a fresh approach, or doing the same thing with different people, we’ll deal with temporary awkwardness until what is uncomfortable becomes our comfort zone. Then we’ll have to adjust and transform again. Now that I’ve driven the new route, next time it won’t be disorientating. I HATE to feel bewildered and adrift, but I LOVE growth and change. Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggemann described the Psalms as depicting three experiences we as humans face in relation to God: orientation, disorientation and reorientation. Cool Blog on This We first experience the Lord and are filled with awe, wonder, and worship, “When I consider the heavens, the moon and the stars thou hast ordained…” (Psalm 8:3-4) Our faith is tried when we are faced with our limitations and are required to put our hope and trust in God; groping in unseen, unfamiliar places. “How long wilt Thou forget me, oh Lord? Forever?” (Psalm 13:1) Then we gather ourselves, finding His steadfast love and faithfulness no matter what we experience, and realize His goodness. “Whom have I in heaven but thee?…My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:22-28) I’d love say you’re never going to feel disoriented in life. That’s just not how this thing works. Disorientation is temporary. You will get through it and get your equilibrium back. Happy New Year! and Happy New You!! |
THIS SATURDAY
JOINT NEW YEAR’S SERVICE
Tryed Stone New Beginnings THIS SUNDAY |
