You were made for this and an invitation
I am made for this. I sit in my office (now a co-share work space with my spouse) and type after a full week of online school and moving in a little more into our farmhouse. Whole rooms stand unpacked. Interruptions, cabin fever, and loneliness are satiated by sunshine and the chicks we are now raising. By some miracle, Easter has happened and the 50 days of Eastertide are flowering each morning. I go on walk after walk and pray prayer after prayer and tend seeds planted in egg cartons.
Josh Banner calls this time, “bewildering.” I couldn’t agree more. Rather suddenly these days, my emotions take deep dives and I have to choose to get fresh air.
The words that ring say, “You were made for this.” A wise friend looked me in the eyes and preached these at my soul during one of the worst seasons I will probably ever live through. Suddenly, I realize that, yes, I am.
For This Time
I am made for this season. To take each moment as it comes as gift. To listen to what those around me are saying about wanting hope but feeling overly-saccharined and kind of sick of trying to hold it together.
You were made for this.
To be honest with yourself.
You were made for this.
To lament. To weep. To stop.
You were made for this.
Retreat for a spell, if you must.
I have been thinking of how I can serve you. How can I best hold the light of Christ? How can I love well? I want to bless you. I do not have the words. Really, I don’t. But I have connections and a microphone and I can ask questions. I know people who write better words than I, people who teach me what it is to persevere in life, art, and faith. Indeed, they have something to share with me and you.
Let me say again, you were made for this.
As times have shifted to fear, uncertainty, and shelter in place dates extended, our mindset can get clouded with high anxiety and of control. At times, we might find ourselves unable to do the creative endeavors we love: writing, painting, singing, woodworking, and so on.
You were made for this.
To take whatever is in your hands and make something.
To speak out.
To love.
To admit you haven’t got it today.
To reach out for help.
To find the words which speak what you cannot.
You were made for this.
These things really matter right now. Beauty counts. Entering uplifting spaces enables us to sort out the tensions held within our muscles and minds.
Words Over Us
What helps me is to hear the goodness of God, to have it spoken over me, whether a poem, a prayer, or a verse. Blessings are something I’m learning about lately. Blessings take God’s promises and eloquently, sometimes rather boldly, speak the truth of who God is and who we are into reality.
I want you to know that God treasures you today. He sees the creative urges of your heart and He knows it takes courage to express yourself. Honestly, I have struggled to create anything during these days. I have felt off. But God is not. He is always on.
He is unchanging, ever-present, so we can be secure.
His love is all-encompassing, so we can know our significance.
He sustains the smallest seed and ever-expanding galaxies, so we can know we are held.
He is self-giving at all times, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so we can be enveloped in constant friendship.
May your heart know it beats within the heart of God.
He is the stronghold of your life.
Be not afraid.
You dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.
The Lord is your guiding light in this dark time.
He is your salvation.
You are given fresh life each moment.
You have nothing to fear.
You were made for this.
The Invitation
To give voice to blessing and hope during this surreal time of isolation and digital gathering, I’ve been working hard on a new podcast with a special series for creative people like you.
If you haven’t subscribed to my newsletter, please scroll down a tad and subscribe right now. I’ll send you the first episode when it’s live! Then check out the podcast preview right HERE.
