Monday, October 28, 2013

Monday
October 26, 2013
Colorado Springs


THE JOLTS

I like to be in control.  I like it as smooth as possible.
I like to have it all charted into the future...all figured out.
I like to savor the predictable, function in the certain,
And celebrate that fact that it all worked out as I had planned.

And then comes "the wind of the Spirit"..."rushing, mighty, bewildering" puzzling...and the coming of the seemingly chaotic normative.  Our "boats" taking on water, the needs that cannot seemingly be met, the life-threatening challenges.  The jolts.

Stuff that forever changes life...
  health crisis
  job shifts
  unexpected downturns
  the face-off
  the spiritual attacks
  the failure
  the momentous changes.

Like the end of 9 1/2 wonderful months in Milford, Nebraska, we said "goodbye" and then went into the different "jolty"present.
Like the recent visit to some of our family in a central asian country and the jolts of exposure to a challenging culture and calling and sacrificial life.
 
And there is more.

During these times, life feels close to completely out of control...can't even find the control panel.

Where does my help come from?

What I am finding are not shock removers, or quick-fixers,
    but shock-absorbers, jolt-calmers, heart-stylers that help:

SO...here is a short list of essential jolt-calmers:

1.
 Relationship action:
 time with relationships, the kind that evidence the care and understanding.  Arms-around, hearts-around care that puts perspective and Jesus into the midst of it all.
  Wisdom: build strong relationships all the time...not just when "jolts" occur.

2.
 Soul action:
 Centering, quieting, meditating with upped frequency. The lingering place, the conversations with God and spouse.
  Wisdom: the bigger the "bump" the greater the soul need.

3.
 Heart action:
 Feeding, repenting and forgiving - keeping the heart-engine tuned up. "Bumps" in the road most often signal a need for roadwork - aka heart-work.
  Wisdom: God being sovereign, there is meaning about our lives to discover, regarding our "jolts."

"I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure."
       from Psalm 23 - The Message.

Walking through jolts.....with you.