We all get introspective around the first of the year, and I’m no exception. I finally got some time today to sit in Jeremy’s Starbucks and just read and think. Right now I am reading Ron Martoia’s new book, Transformational Architecture. Ron’s writing is not the kind you can zip through at a breakneck pace! His last book, Static, really impacted my thought process and I can already feel this one doing the same thing.
Today, I was thinking about the overarching story of how God works in our world. Ron points out that this story, or narrative, is what gives meaning and cohesion to our lives. When we see how we fit into the big picture, so to speak, it makes everything clearer in our little arc of storyline. Our purpose is defined by God’s amazing story.
That’s when I was – finally — able to put my Christmas and New Year’s into perspective. You see, I’ve been pushed and pulled from all directions. My husband and I call it being ‘nibbled to death by ducks.” We’ve been constantly answering the phone or doorbell to some amazing ministry and fellowship opportunities. Each of these opportunities thrilled us and make us happy to be where God wants us to be, but they do drain our reserves. I began to feel, recently, as if I have nothing left to write because I am too busy wiping counters or making plans for others. One of my out of town guests said, “You all live in a community center, not a house.” He wasn’t far wrong!
And yet I know that God gave David and me a very specific call to be a haven for people who need one. So should it surprise me that my doorbell keeps ringing? Why in the world would I be surprised at that when it’s the very situation I’ve been working toward? Seeing the overall story, God’s story for my life and his story for all of history, has helped me today put my time and opportunities into the narrative. This IS what God intended for my holiday season. These were the opportunities to make my life count in the place he has me.
Not interruptions, each of these doorbell ringers were the POINT.I just had to slow down long enough to get the point.
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Sounds like you need a sabbath from being hostess/pastor…