Author: Laura Crosby (Page 5 of 54)

Words Matter. Maybe More than Ever

January 12, 2021 /

Last week we sat, super-glued to our televisions, not wanting to watch the destructive images as the Capitol was breached and our democracy threatened, but also not able to turn away.

There are so many shocking pictures and video footage to absorb and react to. Experiences can shape and transform us, but not without thoughtful reflection and prayer.

One of the things that we were reminded of is the power of rhetoric to incite violence like we witnessed. It got me thinking more than ever about the responsibility we have as Jesus-followers to steward our words well.

One of my life verses is “Where words are many, sin is not absent.” (Proverbs 10:19).

I talk a lot. I get excited. I speak before I think. I often need to ask forgiveness. So this has been an opportunity for me to recommit to doing better.

1. I want to seek God’s Word before I speak my words.

I need to say less and pray more. For me this means setting my phone alarm for “sacred pauses” throughout the day. I stop everything, pay attention to my breathing, silently recite names for God (Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prince of Peace), and ask for eyes and ears attuned to Him. What are the ways I can speak light and life into situations of darkness and death?

2. I want to speak from a posture of humility,

asking more questions, seeking to understand (not condone, but understand and pray for repentance, healing and a turning to the Lord).

I also need to search my own heart for blind spots and the evil that hides there.I’m reminded of the question asked of G.K. Chesterton by the London Times, “What’s wrong with the world today?” He said simply, “I am.” May we never lose sight of the fact that we are all broken people in need of a Savior.

“…all of us should be on our faces today begging God to help us see whatever it is in our own leadership that is dangerous or destructive. We need to beseech God to help us see what we can not see.”

RUTH HAYLEY BARTON

3. But, I also want to speak the truth even if it is costly.

I may be guilty of many “sins of commission” – saying something that isn’t kind, helpful, or necessary – but I also need to guard against “sins of omission”. Are there times I am not bold enough in calling out injustice?

Leaders have the power to speak words that inspire good or incite evil. Sadly, we have seen our president and others complicit in inciting violence this week. My heart aches for my brothers and sisters of color who rightly ask, “If it had been BLM protestors charging the Capitol, what would the consequences have been?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

micah 6:8

4. Lastly (and this may be the hardest one) I’m called to use my words to bless and not curse.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

matthew 5:43

These are tense, emotional days when we tend to be easily offended. May we not make an idol of our nation, our leaders, or our own opinions.

The verses I keep returning to are these:

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, For my hope is from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, My refuge; I will not be shaken.

psalm 62:5-6

How is your spirit in all this?

6 Vital Practices to Fill You Up During a Draining Season

September 28, 2020 /

There’s a reason I haven’t been posting lately. It’s because I feel like there are just too many words coming at us. Too much news, too many emails, too much technology. We are feeling dehumanized and desperately long for the things that remind us we are made in God’s image.

We miss hugs, talking in person, laughing around a table…And if you’re like me, almost anything on a screen makes you feel weary.

I’m popping on today to suggest some practices that might help. But before we look at things to fill us up, what about putting boundaries on the things that drain us and make us feel dehumanized?

A few boundaries I’ve found helpful:

  • Turn off ringer and leave phone in one place in the house when you are home so it’s not nearby.
  • Tape one reliable news show instead of having news on in the background or turning it on indiscriminately.
  • Set your phone for boundaries. Go to Settings, then “Screen time” and set “Down time” (times when your apps won’t be available to you) and “App limits” (you can choose to set a time limit on certain apps you may be tempted to use too much and your phone will notify when you’re at your limit)

After limiting what drains you, commit to some practices that fill you. Here are some of my suggestions. Maybe just pick one to focus on today, or add yours in the comments!

1.Breathe

I used to think it was dumb when leaders had us pause to pay attention to our breath as a pre-cursor for prayer. I was wrong. Maybe it is the prevalence of technology and a 24/7 news cycle that has brought home the value of this practice that truly helps me be more present to God.

“God is the oxygen of your soul. Connecting body breath to God is a spiritual practice.”

Adele Calhoun

Go outside and sit on your front step (or on a park bench) and breathe in deeply. Think of the breath of God (the Holy Spirit – Ruach ) filling every inch of your body. Breathe out the care and anxiety you’re carrying.

Then use your senses. What are 5 things you see? What are 5 things you feel? Hear? Smell? Just sit, and breathe. What’s the invitation of God in this moment? Be present and human.

2.Create

Make something with your hands. Anything. Especially if your day is spent mostly using your mind. For me that looks like sewing masks, or baking, or creating environments for gathering people. Maybe for you it might be creative lettering, or photography or making a care package for someone.

3.Read

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

When we read Scripture, it reminds us that we are not alone. We are not the first to experience this mess. God is not surprised or overwhelmed, or insufficient for what we are facing. There are wonderful parallels to this season in Exodus chapters 12-18 if you want a place to start.

When we read books about people and places different from us, it helps us look beyond ourselves and our own circumstances. It’s not escapist entertainment, but I think the book, American Dirt, is one of the best books I read this summer. It took me into the world of the immigrant experience as a mother and son flee Mexico for the U.S.

What good books are you reading?

4.Smile

During this incredibly stressful season, we need to laugh. We need beautiful pictures and stories that lift our spirits, inspire us, or make us smile. Most of you know I deleted Twitter and am rarely on FB, but I love Instagram because it brings joy. I follow tons of dog and travel feeds. I’ll spare you those, but here are a just a few of my favorite feeds.

If you want adventure, follow @jimmychin .
If you want to experience life on a delightful sheep farm, follow @sweckerfarm (especially her daily stories!)
For encouragement (even if you have his book) follow @charliemackesie !
If you wish you lived in the British countryside, follow @suddenjourneys (Especially her daily stories!!).
If you’d like to live in Paris, follow @alexandrine_ar !
For awe and wonder at God’s creation, follow @usinterior !

5. Thank

Study after study has shown that the practice of gratitude has benefits both physically and emotionally. You may want to keep a gratitude journal, or practice sharing 3 things you’re thankful for at dinner each night.

What are you thankful for right now?

6. Get Out (while wearing a mask at a social distance).

I want to be careful and wise with this one because we all have unique circumstances, and some will be limited more than others. But, within reason, how can you stay connected in person with others?

When the pandemic started, we decided to invest in making our outdoor space more welcoming and conducive to gathering people with distance. We bought a few more chairs and years ago we got a white tent at Costco (which is actually advertised as a carport).

Our daughter, Katy says she’s discovered paddle-boarding to be an ideal socially distanced activity to do with friends. For me, tennis is my go-to.

Maybe “getting out” is inviting friends to outdoor spaces with you, but I also read a great article recently on the importance of “casual connections” – how they provide needed emotional support and contribute to our sense of well-being. God did not create us for isolation, right?

The article talks about “consequential strangers” (like baristas, beauticians, checkout people at the grocery store) who give us the feeling that we belong to a community – a basic human need. 

Consequential strangers “are as vital to our well-being, growth, and day-to-day existence as family and close friends. Consequential strangers anchor us in the world and give us a sense of being plugged in to something larger…They are vital social connections – people who help you get through the day and make life more interesting.” *

What is one of these practices you might try today? What would you add?

*Melinda Blau and Karen L. Fingerman “The Power of People Who Don’t Seem to Matter…But Really Do.”

3 Principles for Discerning God’s Will in Unprecedented Times

August 25, 2020 /

First, can we just agree that everyone except God is out of sync right now?

That includes me, and any kind of schedule for blog posting. I swing from thinking I’ll never post again because more words in your in-box may increase your feelings of stress, to feeling like we all may need to be reminded we’re not alone. Anyway, sorry for the inconsistency.

Decisions are hard in the best of times, but during a pandemic when conditions change day to day? Brutal!

Over and over we hear the word, “pivot” and we seek to re-imagine God-honoring choices in this time.

What’s one challenging situation you are facing that’s been made more complicated by the pandemic?

I’m grappling along with everyone else, but here are 3 of my go-to principles:

1.  Ask for wisdom.

Sometimes there is a clear, moral right and wrong answer, but often God’s will isn’t some ONE hidden secret and if you get it wrong it will be like a disaster scene out of Raiders of the Lost Ark. 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

Sometimes you just need to ask, “What would be the most pleasing choice to you, Lord?” and decide. I love what Luke writes when the apostles were making hard decisions for the young Jesus-following community:

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…

Acts 15:28

God didn’t speak through a megaphone, but the apostles prayed and listened and made the choice that seemed good. Nothing may feel totally clear to you, but you may need to prayerfully choose what seems like the best, God-honoring choice.

2. Seek unity.

Let’s defer to the people who feel most vulnerable. More than ever we need to extend grace and not be offended by others regarding Covid choices about jobs, education, parenting, travel, celebrations… The people around you (even family) have challenges you may not be aware of. We’re all doing our best.

If you are married, God won’t lead one of you to one conclusion and your spouse to another. Pray and listen until you are united – both on the same page.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:2-3

3.  Persevere. Just because it’s God’s will doesn’t mean it will be easy. (I know…Not exactly what you wanted to hear, right?)

 You may feel like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness in this season. But God grows His people most dramatically in the wilderness because we are forced to face our inadequacies and lean on Him.

Could it be that God is actually more concerned with our character than our comfort?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Which of these is the hardest for you? Which is the most helpful?

Soul Food – 5 Creative Ideas for Celebrations With Covid Restrictions

August 17, 2020 /

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Philippians 4:4-5

In this season of pandemic, and racial tension and what I heard someone refer to the other day as “the Great Pause”, there have appropriately been calls for reflection and repentance. It is so important that we not just get through this time, but be transformed by it.

However, there is also a place for celebration in this season. As we begin to meet outside at a distance, we are excited to experience the human connection we were created for.

Here are five ideas that I, or friends of mine have tried:

  1. Virtual Travel Potluck Dinner.

Maybe the thing I miss most about the restrictions of this season is the inability to travel internationally. I invited some couples to think about where they’d like to travel when it’s allowed and to bring a dish representative of that place. If it’s a place they’ve already been, I asked them to come also with a memory to share. If it’s someplace new to them, I asked them to share what they’re looking forward to seeing.

One couple brought ceviche in individual mason jars (Covid considerate!) because they want to go to El Salvador.

I also made the desserts in individual mason jars.

I found all different sizes and types of mason jar at Target.

2. S’moregasbord gathering around the fire pit.

@katiejacobsnashville

I LOVE the idea of all kinds of creative adaptations of s’mores! This picture from Country Living is amazing, but not very socially distance friendly, so my idea is to tie up a variety of ingredients in individual bandanas that folks can use as napkins, and tie them around their marshmallow fork. I can’t wait to do this one in September as the weather gets cooler!

3. Onesie Scavenger Shower. Our daughter, Maggie, was set to host a couples baby shower, but they couldn’t gather in person due to Covid restrictions. Instead of cancelling the whole thing, she wanted the expectant couple to have a special experience.

She asked each couple who had been invited to the shower to decorate onesies and take a picture of themselves. Then she created a Onesie Scavenger Hunt for the expectant couple, with clues sending them to different spots that were meaningful to them. At each spot they found two onesies and a picture of the the couple who created them.

4. Photo Scavenger Hunt on Bikes. The husband of a friend wanted to celebrate her well on her birthday so he invited 15 of her friends to surprise her, showing up at their house on bikes. He used the app Goose Chase to create a Photo Scavenger Hunt that sent three teams of five around our town to get pictures at different sites and text them back to my friend’s husband and kids at “command central” to get points.

5. Pizza and Podcast. This idea that I’ve posted about on Instagram, works well virtually or in person. Just send out a podcast suggestion and host a discussion (outside with distancing or on zoom) around pizza. Easy Peasy! I heard about this idea from Bailey T. Hurley and you can see more of her ideas here.

**One bonus idea that’s not a gathering: Weekly Themed Group Playlists to keep you going through Covid.

Daughter Katy has a group of friends who name a playlist master and a theme every week. Each person in the group contributes a song to go with the theme and sometimes they try to guess who’s contributed which song.

The playlist master sends out the curated list at the end of the week. Sometimes the themes are timely, like Social Distancing (Ex. “Stop, in the Name of Love!”), or Social Justice (Ex. “Blowin in the Wind” by Bob Dylan). Others are just great escapes, like Pop Divas (ALL the Lady Gaga and Adele) or Best Covers (“I Will Always Love You”)

What creative ways have you found to celebrate this season?

3 Truths for Dealing with Covid Chaos, part 4

August 6, 2020 /

“I don’t know a single person right now that’s saying, ‘It’s cool, this is my fifth deadly virus pandemic and I’m an expert at these.'” Jon Acuff

None of us have ever gone through times like this! I heard someone say, “I wish we could go back to ‘precedented’ times!” This week I’m posting a series aimed at bringing Scripture to bear on the chaos we’re living through.

Truth #3: You have nothing to fear.

Our fears reveal what’s most important to us and where we trust God the least.

Fear is a natural by-product of chaos. We are plagued with “What if’s…”

  • What if my kids can’t go back to school?
  • What if I lose my job?
  • What if one of my parents gets Covid?
  • What if the elections are derailed?

But…

God is JEHOVAH SABAOTH – the Lord of the heavenly armies.

Throughout Scripture, this is the name God’s people would use to call on Him when they were in despair.

He will always fulfill His purposes, even when we fail.

from Ruth Chou Simons

Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

psalm 89:8

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 samuel 17:45

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

isaiah 43:1-2

Which of these do you need to hear most right now?

What do they say about God and about you?

3 Truths for Dealing with Covid Chaos, part 3

August 4, 2020 /

Those of you who are parents (or aunties or have ever dealt with toddlers) know what it’s like when a two-year-old is just DONE – overwhelmed with ALL OF THE THINGS and has a meltdown. As an adult, you pull them onto your lap, rub their back, and remind them of what’s true.

“I’m right here.”

“It’s going to be ok.”

This week I’m posting a series of three truths with Scripture to help calm us in the chaos of Covid. You can see the first posts here and here.

Here’s the second truth…

Truth #2: You have nothing to lose.

I can just hear you yelling at the screen, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I HAVE EVERYTHING TO LOSE!”

Last week was that I listened to someone speaking about the phenomenon of “anticipatory grief” that has been prompted by the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic.

Covid has broken our collective sense of safety. We are afraid of loss! We don’t know what’s coming next, and so many of us are preemptively experiencing the stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, sadness acceptance, and the new one – meaning). BUT these stages are not linear. They themselves are not predictable! Lord have mercy!

Again, it’s helpful to pay attention – to recognize the stages of grief that you’re experiencing while also acknowledging “Lord, this loss is temporal, You are eternal.”

God is JEHOVAH-JIREH -the One who will provide.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

PSALM 23:1

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

philippians 3:8

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

psalm 33:11

Which of these do you need to hear most today?

What do they say about who God is and who you are?

3 Truths for Dealing With Covid Chaos, part 2

August 3, 2020 /

Everything is just hard these days.

If you’re like me, every new email in my in-box makes me tired before I even read it.

So I decided two things: 1) I’m going to send this series to you in short posts, one a day and 2) Then I’m going to stop posting for the rest of the month.

Before diving in, may I make a suggestion? Maybe read these in the morning, or whenever you are doing your devotions? Take a little time to soak up the faithfulness of God through His Word.

Last Monday I wrote about dealing with chaos as a spiritual practice that God may use to make us more like Jesus.

Kind of like alcoholics admit they are powerless over alcohol, I suggested that a first step is to admit we are powerless over much of the chaos swirling around us in this season.

via GIPHY

That doesn’t mean that God is powerless, or surprised, or not at work on our behalf!

I believe we have two choices:

We can choose to live BOTTOM UP – starting with our circumstances and projecting onto God (That is…If things are bad, God must be bad.)

OR we can choose to live TOP DOWN – starting with the character of God and trusting Him to bring the meaning to our circumstances.

As I live in the tangled mess of uncertainty that is my life right now, I remember three truths a friend shared with us years ago – you have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to fear.

These truths are rooted in the character of God. But it’s only as I trust Him, living top down, that they make a difference.

I’d like to share these with you accompanied by a bunch of Scripture that I pray will bring some calm to your chaos.

Truth #1: You have nothing to prove.

We each have an ego-driven self that is bent on proving our control and worth, and if we ever had a year that showed us the futility of that it’s 2020, amiright?

Circumstances are tenuous for everyone – schooling options, job opportunities, health, family dynamics, Covid restrictions, finances… When you lean into these to define your worth you’re living out of your false self. But…

God is EL ROI – the One who sees me.

Circumstances change, but what will never change is God’s presence and the way He cherishes you. No.Matter.What.

You are a beloved child of the creator of the universe. This is your true identity and you don’t have to prove anything.

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 65:2

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you  with singing.”

zephaniah 3:17

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

psalm 139:1-12

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork…

Ephesians 2:8-9

Which of these do you need to hear most today?

What does it say about who God is and who you are?

3 Truths for Dealing With Covid Chaos, part 1

July 27, 2020 /

The other day I was at a tennis drill that was, well…maddening. It was designed to create chaos in order to help us practice responding under pressure.

The pro would feed a “poachable” ball to the net player on one side and the player’s goal was to pound it directly at the feet of her opposing net player.

If the net player was able to return the ball it wouldn’t be pretty and it was unpredictable. The point would unfold from there, everyone trying to survive and bring some kind of order to the chaos.

If you don’t play tennis and don’t understand the explanation above, it doesn’t matter. The point is that chaos was meant to help us get better.

green tennis ball on court
Photo by Bogdan Glisik on Pexels.com

Turns out I don’t do great in chaos. Few of us do. Welcome to 2020.

After the drill I was talking to the pro and he said the thing that happens with everyone in chaos is that they tense up.

You feel the pressure to prove yourself or perform in the midst of uncertainty, and your muscles tighten. You’re afraid of losing.

You play from a place of fear and confusion. My coach said the first step is just acknowledging what’s going on. Say to yourself, “I’m in a hard position here. Just breathe, relax and ask what’s the next right thing to do.”

I do not believe God “sent” or “created” this pandemic. Illness is a result of the Fall. But God did allow this, and I believe He desires to use it to form us into people more like Him if we’re willing to pay attention.

This week, situations reminded me of three truths a friend of ours used to repeat years ago, which I’ll write about in the coming days. But first I had to acknowledge the situation – the chaos and the resulting pain.

We may be inclined to think that God judges us for being brutally truthful with Him about how we’re feeling – emotions of anger, confusion or uncertainty. But we see differently in Scripture, especially in the Psalms.

Like an inconsolable toddler reaching up for his mother, crying out to God is intimate. It draws us near to His heart.

I call out at the top of my lungs, “God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.” …

I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise. In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive…

Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise…

Put your hand out and steady me since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel…

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

psalm 119 MSG

So, today, maybe talk to God honestly about how you feel in this season of chaos. Journal a prayer or take a walk and pray. Acknowledge the situation and your needs.

A Story to Rescue Your Monday from Despair

July 20, 2020 /

We’re in the middle of a pandemic, political division, racism, unemployment challenges, questions about what’s going to happen with our kids when school starts, and it’s Monday morning.

You may have had a stellar weekend picnicking in the sun, biking, going to “the lake”, but now it’s Monday in all its Mondayness.  And the week stretches out in front of you like a flat road across the barren pan-handle of Oklahoma.

Before you buckle down for multiple Zoom calls, or start washing sandy clothes from the weekend, read on.  It may make you feel better about your day.

Awhile ago I was listening to the radio and a woman called in with an experience that was, um…unbelievable. Except that it really happened.

The caller had been on a road trip with her friend. They stopped to get gas and go to the bathroom. The woman went into the stall, and sat down.  She put her keys on her lap, at which point the keys slid into the toilet.

The toilet was the auto-flush kind so she was afraid to stand up for fear her keys would be washed down the toilet.  

Panicky, she was able to reach her cell phone and call her friend who was outside filling the car with gas.

The friend came into the bathroom, and although she was a large woman, she squeezed under the stall door.

She knelt and (unbelievably) reached under her friend, into the toilet for the keys.  I know, I know…so many questions!  

(At this point I could spiritualize this and quote Proverbs 18:24 “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is friend who sticks closer than a brother.”, but really?)

As I was listening to the story, I thought, “How could this get any worse?!”

It did.

The radio caller, on the toilet, had a gag reflex to the whole situation at that point, and threw up on her friend’s head as she kneeled in front of her trying to rescue the keys!  (Aren’t you glad I haven’t provided “art” here?)

Attitude is all in our perspective, right?

I share this because it’s Monday, and maybe we can all start the week thanking God that no one has thrown up on our head.  Yet.

And may we all have friends as devoted as this caller’s.

What helps you keep life in perspective? When has a friend rescued you and made your day?

What is the Invitation of God for You in This Season?

July 10, 2020 /

Once a year we would make the trek from the suburbs of Chicago to this hot humid wonderland where we would get sweaty playing softball in the yard, and then spend hours in the pool playing Marco Polo.

You remember that game, right? The person who’s “IT” closes their eyes and yells, “Marco!”

All the other players, scattered around the pool, have to respond, “Polo!” and the person who’s IT tries to catch one of them by swimming/lunging quickly through the water to the sound of their voice.

To this day, if Katy, Maggie or I get separated from each other in a store, we’ll call out, “Marco!” and wait for the others to respond, “Polo!” so we can find each other. (Yes, we get some weird looks).

The other day after I heard Pete Wynter from HTB say, “Covid has been an INVITATION, not just an INTERRUPTION.” After reflecting, I posted on Instagram, some of the invitations I recognize in this season and one of them is a Marco Polo type invitation.

I believe it’s an invitation to silence the divisive voices of the politicians and the haters for a time and call out “Jesus!”

Then be still and listen for His response. Maybe He’ll call back to you through His Word, or with a whisper, “Here I am. Come this way.”

How will you know it’s Him?

His voice is always alined with Scripture.

His voice is always consistent with love.

His voice may not always agree with you, but it is life-giving.

If He speaks conviction it will be to draw you back to Himself with grace and forgiveness, not shame.

As I was thinking about the invitation to listen for God’s voice, I heard this song from Amanda Lindsey Cook. I pray it’s a gift for your weekend.

Some things you can’t know till you’re still
In the silence
Where your spinning thoughts slow down
In the stillness
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