Help! I’m Drowning!
I know I’ve been spending too much time in the media (social and otherwise) when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by all that’s wrong in the world. Political turmoil, immigration crisis, another church scandal. Failing education system, failing trust in absolutely anything. Genocide in one country, famine in another. Help, I’m drowning in bad news!
So I feel pressure to do something, to be the change, right?
But then I look at my own impossibly long to-do list, at the people counting on me to do this or to be that, at the commitments that I’ve already made… And well, that’s when the overwhelmed part comes in. It’s all so much, I become paralyzed and end up doing… nothing. Yikes!
But recently when I was reading Ephesians, a verse jumped out at me. It’s Ephesians 2:10 and it’s where we learn that God created us to walk in good works that He prepared in advance for us to do. Ooooh. Now that sounds interesting.
You mean, like He has something specific that He prepared for ME? Like maybe, I’m not commanding the entire army and the whole war isn’t actually up to ME? Like the only thing that’s up to me is to do whatever He has prepared beforehand for ME to do?
Yep. Like that. Exactly that.
The Lord used this verse to provide so much peace, so much release. If I do my part on our tiny regenerative farm, maybe that is the role He has assigned to me in the restoration of the food supply. If I write the truth that He has planted in my heart, maybe that is my part in speaking life to a world consumed by death. If I am faithful in my community of believers, tender in my family relationships, wisely available to the lost and dying around me, maybe that’s it — those ARE the good works He prepared in advance for ME to do.
I can’t clean up American Politics. I don’t have the answers for the failing family. I don’t know how to stem the tide of our unraveling civilization.
But I know the One who DOES. And I trust that He is wise in the way He deploys His forces. I am just one little soldier in His ranks. But I am available to Him, listening to His voice and following where He leads me, the best I know how to follow. And with that, I can trust Him to do something beautiful with my offering.
Because that’s what He already had planned out, a long, long time ago.
Oh Sarah, as usual, your beautifully written words motivates others to listen to Christ’s messages..
There is a song that I shared with your sister last night. It is one of my favorites and moves me everytime I hear it. It is titled Here I am Lord. Look it up . It is beautiful. I’m sure it will move you as well.
Thank you, Carol! You are so precious and supportive. (And I LOVE the song!)
Sarah, your words are a good reminder for me as well. I often pray from Hebrews 13:20-21 for myself. “Now the God of peace . . . Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,”.
God only equips me for what He has called me to do. If I’m trying to do something not in my calling, I’m not going to be equipped for it – which makes it even more frustrating when I try. We can rest and relax in finding our personal call and following it.
Your words are so encouraging and I think writing is one of the gifts and callings God has given you. Keep on making the world you live in and the lives you touch a better place. Love you
Thank you so much, Joyce. I want to write more and more, and I definitely need the encouragement! It’s a noisy world out there with so many competing voices. I know mine would just be lost if not for Him allowing the words to land wherever they need to. And I love that verse from Hebrews! It almost fits better than the one I used, LOL.