Today's is a posting that will be more of a random smorgasbord of thoughts and ideas. I am being intellectually lazy in honor of the New York Times religion column. (yes, that was a burn. don't worry, it's a big paper, it can handle it.)
On How to Wake Up Happy: Woke up this morning, was prompted to reach for my Bible first thing. I attribute that to grace. Filled my first thoughts with Psalm 34...such a good way to combat early-morning depression.
On How to Be Joyful: Another good way to combat depression/despondency in general, as I am finding out, is to cultivate a grateful heart. Gratitude does not just happen on its own. It is a choice that is purposefully, intentionally made moment-by-moment. (I'm reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts and it is stirring up something deep in the recesses of my oft-ungrateful heart and drawing out thankfulness/recognition of beauty/joy.) Running is also good. So are burpees. (I just found out what those were today, and did a BUNCH. I will find out tomorrow if that was a good idea or not).
On Reading: I want to finish more books. I am a great starter of books (currently, I am in the process of reading "Future Grace" by John Piper, "The Hobbit" by Tolkien, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, my Microbiology textbook, "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins, and finally, "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.) I used to be satisfied to pick up books, start a few chapters, slough through a few more at a later time, and then drop it with no intention of ever finishing it. But no more! I intend to finish each of the above-named books (yes, even the formidable Micro textbook...) before the end of the summer, if not sooner. I will do my best to not take any more book recommendations until then.
On Home, and Belonging: Pastor Bob, in his sermon this morning, read Revelation 7:15. My ESV didn't quite capture this, but he must've been reading from the 1984 NIV: "He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them". He elaborated that this tent, His presence (in the ESV) is where we belong, as believers. This is the Home we find ourselves longing for here. I swallowed hard as he said this. I can certainly identify with the longing to belong, to find a home, not just a place to lay my head at night, but a safe and welcoming place to which I can always run. I often long to find this in a person. A friend. One who will never leave me. But, alas, friends move away, pursue their God-given callings far, far away from where He has me. And repeated disappointments remind me that this is not it. This is not Home. And as long as I pretend that it is, I will be sorely disappointed. And then I think of Jesus, who did not even have a place to lay his head. He knew this wasn't home. And here I am laboriously picking out curtains and complaining about the poor plumbing...as if I'm going to be here forever. As if this temporal world can somehow meet/satisfy the infinite longings of my heart. Oh may earthly disappointment drive me to seek Him! May I cry out when "my heart and my flesh fail" for the shelter of His presence. And may I cry out with the rest of those who are Homesick, "Amen, come Lord Jesus!"
And on that eschatological note, I think I will end this posting.
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