So much. It’s so much, and you might feel today like this little man who sits on the windowsill above my desk. He usually perches atop his little mountain, praying and having his own experience of God. (I imagine so, anyway.) The other day, though, he just couldn’t hold on any longer.
Maybe you can relate? You’ve hung on for so long, praying and praying until your knees are sore and calloused. You look around and there are so many things out of your control…and you wonder if God has forgotten that He does have control. Why does all of this keep going? Why is there more news – both personal and public – that makes us crumple to the ground in exhausted bewilderment? Just…why?
I heard a long time ago, though, that instead of asking why something is happening, the more productive thing to do is to ask what you’re doing to do about it. How are you going to live in light of…whatever it is? What’s it going to look like for you today?
But in light of so very much news (again, in your own life and overwhelming your news feed), you might feel like doing a whole lot of nothing – paralyzed by fear and numbness and anxiety and hopelessness. But friend, there are three things I want you to do, if I may be so bold as to give you instructions.
1)PRAY. I know you feel like your words are bouncing off the ceiling. I know you’ve been praying for so long and are wondering why you bother. I know you feel unheard and ignored. Don’t. Stop. Praying. Your words poured out in conversation with God do not fall on deaf ears. Our pleas and requests reach His ears and His heart, and the gates of heaven are shaken as we persist.
2)LIMIT your news consumption. If it’s your news feed that’s overwhelming you, don’t feel guilty if you have to shut it down. It’s an infinite information source, but that’s not necessarily good or wholesome or helpful. Do not allow the algorithm to tell you how much news you need to see. Let your spirit be the judge of that.
3)SHINE. Light means the most when it’s darkest, and wow. It’s pretty dark. Shine the light of Jesus into your family, neighborhood, city, and country. He’s so desperately needed.
Your job is simple, friend. Don’t get overwhelmed and paralyzed. Pray. Limit. Shine.