In His Presence Devotional – Called to Live a Messy Life
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about expectations. In fact, my last In His Presence Devo. was entitled, Down with Expectations. I think most of us have the “cookie cutter” mindset. We have a picture in our minds of what our lives will be like. Even if we compartmentalize it into seasons, we still kind of look out into the abyss of the coming years and map out how it’s going to look. I have a friend, whose kids are beginning to leave the nest, share with me yesterday that she sees herself at home baking cookies as her kids return for Christmas, but she’s wondering if the Lord has other plans for her.
There’s nothing wrong with thinking ahead, don’t get me wrong. I’ve done that very same thing throughout my life. But. what if we’re called to live a “messy life?” Think about Paul. He traveled all over the place, was almost stoned to death, constantly running for his life to the point of being let down through a window in a wall, in jail on several occasions, and even shipwrecked. It doesn’t get much messier than that!
How might a messy life look for us in a society that stresses a picture perfect, cookie cutter life? It may mean my kids don’t play soccer this season so that we can spend that time as a family in prayer. It may mean that we need to go on a mission trip. It may mean that we need to consider being a foster parent. It may mean that we need to host a foreign exchange student who may not be a Christian. It may mean that we need to de-activate our facebook account because it’s become an idol. It may mean that we turn the television off and go help an elderly neighbor or visit the nursing home. It may mean stepping outside our comfort zones and saying, “Yes, Lord, here I am. I’ll live a messy life, if it’s what you want. I’m available and willing.”
It may also mean allowing God to strip away some things within us so that He can grow us into the person He made us be. It’s messy when a spouse says, “I’m leaving,” but you fall in love with Jesus and crave His Word and Presence, casting your care on Him. It’s messy when you lose your job, but you learn to trust Him for your daily bread and your faith grows as you see His provision. It’s messy when a loved one dies, but you learn that He really is the Great Comforter and you can later minister to others going through the same thing. It’s messy when your schedule is turned upside down from cancer treatments, but you learn to lean into Him for strength.
It won’t be easy to erase the cookie cutter mindset and replace it with a messy life mindset, but with God’s help, we can do it!
Okay, let’s get messy!