As a kid, to be put in time out was punishment. It meant you needed time to consider what you had said or done. It was a space to get yourself together and think about the reason you were there in the first place. It could be torture for some. For a parent or caregiver, it was a moment to separate the chaos to try and get some sort of handle on things. It could be challenging. But ultimately it was designed to help regroup and get things back on track.
As adults, we really need to take a childhood punishment and turn it into a mandatory treatment for ourselves. What might it mean if we actually put ourselves in time out occasionally? Could it help to have a few moments to regroup? Could we find benefit from sitting alone to gather our thoughts? Might we make better decisions and react differently if we simply had a little time to breathe?
Jesus seemed to take time outs. It wasn’t a punishment, but rather a reward. It was a gift to allow him time to pray and prepare for what was ahead. He received direction and insight when he took time alone. It could do the same for us.
Today, put yourself in time out. You may remember, it isn’t designed to last all day. It is a few moments to regain composure, reassess the situation, and move forward with a clearer direction. Enjoy a time out today.
Matthew 14:13
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
It is often difficult for me to comprehend why God would choose to work in me. It seems like there are so many other vessels, so many more capable and talented. And yet – God is working in them too. He is actually working in and through us all. And when we listen, he guides us to a new way, a different way. He works in us to bring about peace (we are to be the peacemakers, after all). He works in us to bring about justice (God’s teachings are packed with commands to work for justice for those being treated unjustly). He works in us to spread his love (love God, love others is most important, according to Jesus). So when these things are not happening, I wonder if it is because we are not being willing vessels. I wonder if it is because we have decided to go our own way and do our own thing, ignoring the God at work in us. Could it be that things are not being done on earth as it is in heaven because we have chosen to ignore the One who created us and loves us beyond measure. Sure, we call on him when we are in need. Yes, we scream for help when there is urgency. We can find ourselves angry when things don’t go as we would want. But could it be that we miss how much God is at work in us if we simply follow the lead? What if we recognized God is at work in us – to bring about good? We may, indeed, see his love, peace, and justice begin to show up – through us.
May God be at work in us today.
Philippians 2
13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
It can be challenging to live in a state of gratefulness. There are many things which compete for our attention. There are angry folks. Life seems to show us its ugly side. We become hyper focused on the things which are causing us anxiety and dread. This often happens on Monday mornings. When there is work to be done and things which await you that you would rather avoid, it can make getting started extra challenging. It can make being grateful even more challenging. When we think about things we are grateful for, it is probably easier to think of the things which we wish we didn’t have to deal with or face. We’d just rather not – not face this, not start a new week, just not. Our views become very narrow on our problems.
What if we widened the scope? What if we took the lens out? What if we slowed enough to take our focus off of our problems and lift up our heads? Might we see the sun rising? Maybe we notice the smile on the person in front of us. Maybe begin to change our view. Maybe our gratefulness grows exponentially and our problems somehow don’t have the same power they once did.
Friends can help us do this. They bring new perspectives. They help us to see the good. They help us to realize this is not the end. They show us all that really is around, even when our vision is so cloudy. Paul was known for writing of his thankfulness for others. We don’t always do that as well. Today, expand the view. Give thanks for those who help us see the good. Live grateful – there is still much to be grateful for.
For many of us, Fridays are automatically a day of praise (TGIF). The week is coming to an end and a different rhythm welcomes us. Some find days of rest to come. Others may find it is a day to visit or go on trips. For me, it has become days to complete all the things left undone by the hurry of the rest of the week. Regardless, there is something special about the shift to the weekend. Now, I do understand if you work in retail, this isn’t such a big deal – I’ve been there. I also understand there are necessary positions that must be filled over the weekend – been there too. So it may be that your ‘Friday’ takes place some other time of the week. Whenever your ‘weekend’ falls, it seems to be a time of praise, naturally. We are grateful the week is wrapping up. We are grateful we made it one more week. We are grateful for something new or different. It welcomes us. It calls us. It invites us.
As I read today’s Psalm, I get the sense we miss the praising that takes place all week long. We don’t notice how the sun and the moon are praising God. We may miss how the stars and the heavens are proclaiming shouts of praise. We probably didn’t notice how the mountains and hills were exclaiming praise. Aren’t they just mountains and hills, the sun and the moon? Yet, simply by rising up as God has created, they are exclaiming praise. As the birds sing, they praise. As the trees sway, they praise. As the animals live out their purpose, they exclaim. And here we are – made in the image of God – and forget to praise him. We aren’t often mindful of all that praises God around us. And we certainly aren’t always joining in on the chorus – except maybe on Fridays.
Maybe it is time to pipe up in praise – and Friday seems to be a good day to start. Maybe we find our voice as we exclaim God’s goodness. Maybe we join in the mighty chorus around us – praising the Creator of it all. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.[a]
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Chaos can drive us crazy. When all seems out of our control, it can be frustrating and debilitating. We don’t know what to do with it all. We seek out things to control – anything that will help us regain the sense that it is not all unraveling. Chaos leads to decisions which are rushed and not always the best. Anger seems to surface to unleash the fear. Our minds tell us we are a victim and there is nothing we can do. Our bodies react to the stories we tell ourselves. We either feel defeated or we come out fighting. Either can be destructive.
What do we do when chaos ensues? It always seems to show up at the most inopportune times. We are often unprepared. We are taken by surprise and all we know to do is react. But what if the point of life is not control? What if we readily relinquish control to the One who is the Creator of it all? What if, instead of reacting, we prepare by learning to give over control to the only One who can actually bring all back into order? Could it be that in the process we realize we were never in control of anything anyway? We might just understand we had a false sense of security in things rather than finding true security in God.
It’s difficult – I’m the first to admit. And this doesn’t mean we give up our sense of responsibility. There are things to do. We are here for a purpose. We are not a mistake nor are we a failure. We are children of the Most High God. That alone gives us enough purpose to move forward. But it seems to me we could rest better and function more adequately if we stop trying to control things and follow the leading of God. I always try to remember I cannot control anyone but myself. And maybe, the answer is for me to give myself to God – he created me and certainly knows what is best. Maybe giving up control doesn’t lead to chaos. Maybe it leads to peace when the control is given to God.
Matthew 7
9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Worry can consume us. It happens without us even realizing it. We are fine, moving forward, and BAM – it hits us. We can often worry about things which we have no control. I find that is most often the case. If I could control it, I would. But since it is out of my control, my next progression is to worry. Even those times when I tell myself I will not worry about something, it creeps in. It is in the back of my mind. It shows up in my sleep. Before I know it, I feel it in my body. It tires us out. It drains our mental energy. Most of all, it steals our joy.
It would be easy to just say – stop worrying. That isn’t helpful. I also hear that worrying is a lack of faith. That is also not helpful – it can just make someone worry about not having enough faith. It is difficult to “give it to God” because it is something we cannot control. It seeps back in as soon as we give it up. But what about gratitude?
Gratitude seems to begin to change things – even if it is ever so slight. When we begin to remind ourselves of the things which we are grateful, it causes us to change our view. We begin to seek the good. Joy seems to fill our hearts despite our circumstances. Don’t get me wrong – it is not a quick fix. It is also not the absolute answer to everything. But there is something about gratitude which causes us to shift – to experience life differently. Maybe that’s why Paul writes for us to give thanks in all circumstances. It isn’t so much we give thanks FOR the circumstance. Rather, it is a way of redirecting our thoughts away from the circumstance that is consuming us. Maybe the key to battling worry is gratefulness. Is there something you can live grateful for today?
I Thessalonians 5
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As you rise from bed this morning, there is a gift which awaits. It is more than you can imagine and yet, passed by most every single day. There is so much potential in this gift – more than any of us realize. We are reluctant to consider this a gift – feeling this can be more of a burden some days. Yet, there is so much brimming to the surface, just waiting to be reached. The gift? The gift is staring you in the mirror. The gift is YOU.
You are God’s gift. He created you with amazing talents. He only created one of you. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. He sees more potential in you than you could ever imagine. He knows your heart. He knows your abilities. He also knows your fears, your worries, and your anxieties. He sees the good in you, even if you don’t see it in yourself. He doesn’t see a mistake. Instead, he sees the gift you are and how you are growing and learning. He sees just how extraordinary you really are.
We often just see wrinkles and scars, weight and bad hair. We are blinded by our failures. We see all the times we have failed. God sees how many times we have risen. We can easily fail to see the beauty. It begins on the surface but sinks all the way down deep in our core. We are beautifully made. God sees us as his child. He sees the good.
What if we took just a moment to see ourselves as God does? What if we saw the potential rather than the limitations? What if we saw the beauty rather than the imperfections? What if we saw ourselves as his beloved rather than the outcast? May God give you eyes to see just how amazing you really are. May he show you how much you are loved. May you realize YOU are the gift.
1 Corinthians 15
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Psalm 139
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
There are times when we are in such distress and despair that words of hope do not resonate. They do not sink in. We are not in a place to hear them and accept them. Hope can feel so very far away – maybe even non-existent. It doesn’t mean the search has ended – we all, in some way, are looking for it. We want to live hopeful. We want to feel there is some sense of hope still to be found. But to just read it can fall short – our heart may not be in a place to accept the gift.
And yet, we can experience hope in others. We can see it in them. We want that hope. We want to know where it can be found. It isn’t that the other person has it all together. It isn’t that their life is perfect. It’s often quite the opposite. We see their life actually in shambles and yet…there is something there. There is glimmer of light which we crave. We are not envious or jealous of the other. We simply want to observe. What is it that keeps them going? What do they see that we cannot see in our current pain?
The key is often an experience with hope. The reminder that this is not the end. There is good. There still is joy to be lived. There is a promise of peace. There really is hope. Good is still out there. Good is still in here. We are not alone. This path does not define us. Can you see the hope?
Here are some places where I am reminded of the hope deep within (sometimes so deep it takes seeing it in another to really know it is still there). Hope is still here:
Psalm 33
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalm 42
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help 6 and my God.
Psalm 62
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 71
14 But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.
Psalm 130
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
We can easily get caught up in the difficulties of life. We need to do challenging things. We have to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones. The path is rarely easy. For those who struggle with anxiety (and even for some who don’t), the solution seems to be to hide – to tap out – to simply pretend it all doesn’t exist. Some go on vacation. Some call in sick. Some drink or smoke or do drugs. The pressures can seem so heavy.
We cannot escape the hard things of life. We cannot avoid all of the challenges. None of us get to live an anxiety free life. But what if we knew beyond any doubt that we were not in this alone? What if we knew – like really knew – the things we faced we could conquer? What if we approached the challenge knowing we may not win but we would not be destroyed? What if we simply woke up knowing that God was with us – no matter what? Would it change things if we knew God was by our side? Would it give us more confidence if we knew that the Creator of the Universe was walking with US?
You might guess I would tell you that he is – God is with us – God does not leave us – God is by our side. We don’t often live like it though. We try to go it alone. We allow the weight of the world to drag us down. We get caught in the cycle of difficulties and cannot see our way out. It even happens to us as believers. It happens to the most faithful of us. I think it helps to be reminded of a few of the things God says. We may not be able to take them in right now. We may not be in a place we believe these things. But reading/hearing them can begin to plant a seed inside of us – and when we least expect it, it grows and then God shows up and shows off. I love it when he does this. Do it again, God…Do it again.
Here are just a few:
-John 14:27, “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
-Psalm 27:1, “1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strongholdof my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
-Joshua 1:9, “9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-Matthew 28:20b, “And remember, Iamwithyou always, to the end of the age.”
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 
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