We never really know what is on the horizon. We can make plans. We can set expectations. We can review the guesses on the weather channel. We can check every box and still nothing goes as we would like. And that is okay. It has to be. We don’t always get to choose what is happening. We don’t control everything, even as much as we would like to think we do. Things will happen which we cannot predict or fix or change. And it has to simply be okay – even when it isn’t.
Learning to let go a little can certainly relieve some of our stress and anxiety. When we can learn to live trusting in our Creator rather than our abilities, we find a sense of ease. It doesn’t mean all goes well. It doesn’t even mean we will like the outcome. It also doesn’t mean we sit around just watching to see what happens. We are still working. We are still planning. We are still dreaming just beyond the horizon. These are all good things – really good things. What we aren’t doing, though, is stressing every single time plans change. We aren’t getting overly anxious when our plans are redirected. We aren’t giving up when the horizon looks more like an imminent storm on our perfectly planned picnic. It is a means of simply letting go and breathing.
This all sounds great in print. Putting it into practice is quite a different task. For some of us, it can take many tries to get it even close to right. But, we continue to try. The only way to move forward is to keep reaching for the horizon. We must keep moving forward to a better future, one with hope and promise. We cannot give up trying just because the storm today has wrecked our plans. The storm will pass, we will pick up the pieces, and we will move forward. We do this best when we trust in the Creator of it all. He has a way of calming our fears, relieving our distress, and giving a fresh, hopeful, loving future to an otherwise disastrous day.
Keep dreaming beyond the horizon. There is so much good that awaits. It may look very different than any of us might expect. But it might just be exactly what we are looking to find.
Focus Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 