There are a few things I wonder about. (Actually, more than a few things, but space is limited here, and I don’t want to bore you with too many trivial “I wonders.”)
Do you remember Pa from Little House on the Prairie (AKA Michael Landon, AKA Cutie-Patootie)? Why did his hair never get messed up? And why were his pants never wrinkled or dirty?
What do you do with the little pieces of chips at the bottom of the chip bag? You can’t dip them in salsa, and you can’t melt cheese on them.
Why can’t I be awake when I sleep so I can know how much I’m enjoying my sleep? (You may need to read this one twice.)
The answers to these questions are obviously not going to reshape my life or create world peace. They’re fun to ponder but I don’t take time to seriously consider the answers. (Well, maybe I dwell a bit too long on the whole chips thing sometimes.)
There are some bigger questions, though, that deserve our time and consideration.
Questions like…What’s next for me in life?
This is a big deal question, right? When I’m in a season of big-time questions, my thoughts revolve around priorities that might need to shift. Dreams that are ready to turn into reality. Events and work and people that are delightfully anticipating more attention. I get excited about what the answer might be.
But perhaps what sometimes happens to me has happened to you?
The wondering and considering gets me excited but then turns into tired or overwhelmed or scarry. So, I go back to being busy.
I don’t take the time to sit. To pray. To read The Book with the Answers. To listen for direction.
Are you in a season of wondering what’s next? You sense that life is shifting, but into what?
Scoot up your chair. I’ve got some encouragement for you.
Here’s the deal.
We will always be busy. There will never be time to contemplate the big questions unless we intentionally take the time. So. Take the time.
There are some really great books that offer tools and processes to help us figure out what’s next. (Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions is one of my favorites.)
AAAAAANNDD…
God has promised a gazillion times in The Bible that He has plans for us. Good plans for us. He gave us the Holy Spirit who nudges, moves, challenges, teaches, guides.
Trying to figure out our next steps without talking to HIM is like driving through Los Angeles for the first time without your destination’s address or a GPS to get you there. Big problem.
I’ve learned that God is in every one of my questions and has an answer for each of them.
When life puts a this or that question in front of me, or when big decisions have life-changing implications, Psalm 119:33-35 is a constant prayer:
God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me – my whole life one long, obedient response. (MSG)
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. (NLT)
And a lifetime favorite that encourages my heart:
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5) Pray these prayers. Meditate on them. Get them into your heart so they are a constant companion as you move throughout your day. Why? Your decisions matter. Your life matters. And you matter so much to our really big God.
I’ll never know about Michael Landon’s hair or his non-wrinkly pants. Chips will always show up at the bottom of the bag and I’ll just look at them and sigh. I’ll never be awake when I sleep.
But when life wants to shift, I am going to spend more time sitting and talking with The One Who Knows … listening for the answer to What’s next?
I’m excited about that.
This page contains an Amazon affiliate link for a book I love. If you purchase it through this link, your cost will be the same, but I may receive a commission. I only link to books and products I personally love!
