Let’s Come Out Of This Upside-Down!
Rounding the corner of a year since the world went into lock-down, we can look not only at the past year of abnormalities and obstacles that had to be overcome, but also to the future. The future may not be as simple as returning to the beginning of 2020. For one thing, we are in an entirely new calendar year.
Many of us wish we could simply rewind. For so many reasons -- and most of them would likely be the immense loss of this last year: loss of a job, a home, a loved one, the loss of normalcy. There are certainly many things that can also be lifted as moments of hope and joy throughout the year. Now, as we look to the (hopefully) near future of some semblance of a return to normalcy, we have the opportunity to make a self-examination. To pause and reflect, and to plan and respond.
Planning for Good Works
After a whole year of dealing with coronavirus, it might be time to consider options. I heard someone remark last year, “God has sent us all to our rooms to think about what we’ve done.” Not a bad assessment, considering that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” even now; even alone in one’s room (Romans 3:23). But, rather than think on the “sinning” and “falling short” -- for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) -- it is a perfect time to think about all of the “good works we are created for and that God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, my paraphrase).
Across the globe, millions of people have been given a “hard reset” for the normal course of their lives. With some insight and some planning, the tough parts of this isolation and slowdown can truly “work together for good” (Romans 8:28). It’s time to come out of this “Upside-down,” and better than we went in.
How to go about it?
PRAY -- Take time in prayer to seek God and the “good works” he has prepared for you. If you are not sure how to connect with God, make it your “good work” to know him better.
“GOOD WORKS” LIST -- After inviting God into the process, make a list of all the things (helpful to others) that you love to do. Put a star beside the ones that you were actually doing on a regular basis before the pandemic. Mark the others -- things you would like to do -- with a check.
PAUSE & LISTEN -- Stop here for a moment. Take time to hear from God. List anything else you think God might want you to do, even if it is not particularly appealing. Be open to the possibility that God knows your potential better than you do.
TARGET TIMETABLE -- Make a pie chart of, or indicate on a calendar, what you feel like the time-usage for a “regular” week is going to be, post-pandemic. Make it your best “target” (even if it appears unrealistic) of what amount of time you will spend each week doing which tasks (don’t forget sleeping, eating, leisure, and Sabbath). Make sure that some of “God’s good works” are fit into your “target timetable.” Actually schedule things out.
PRAY, part two -- Pray over this theoretical (for now) new and intentional life. Even if your current responsibilities take most of your time, do your best to fit something in for God. He has given you this reset.
What may have felt like a detrimental disruption could be the opportunity for a deliberate disruption. The choice is yours as to how you will respond to this global upset. Will you turn the “upset” upside-down to make it your reset?