Ever have a week where you try to get ahead, but it just doesn’t work?
If you’re anything like me, that’s been the story of last week. Knowing that we were getting our first dump of snow on Tuesday, I worked from home. Meetings went virtual and rather than work in the office, I opted to get ahead on other work that needed my attention. But then on Tuesday night, Family Faith Night was cancelled. “So be it,” I thought, “now I can use that time to work on our congregation’s annual report.” With word that there was another winter storm coming by Friday, I used my Thursday to the fullest – taking care of anything that needed in-person attention and shifting any remaining music lessons to that day. But still, even on Friday, as several inches of snow fell, still I approached the day as if everything would be “fine” by Saturday and Sunday. Everything could return to what was planned, right? But then it took time for me (and the entire state) to be plowed out and frigid temperatures set in.
Sound familiar, at all?
Last week, almost all of my best intentions landed in a deviation from the original plan. So finally, by Sunday morning, I heard from somewhere within me prompting me to say to God: “Alright, God. This week hasn’t been anywhere close to what I thought. So what do you want of me? Where do you want my attention?”
Truth be told, I could’ve – and maybe should’ve – asked that question on Friday. Or, on Wednesday. Or, even on Tuesday. I had plenty of time to ask God how God wanted me to not only approach my day, but also what I was called to do, and what I was called to be in God’s presence.
But I didn’t. At least, not right away.
And yet, in this crazy week we’ve had, it’s also made me realize that it’s not just during times of changed plans that we have the opportunity to ask God: “what do you want me to do, now?” Rather, we have that opportunity each and every day as we approach what is before us. Because while we might thnk we have a magical plan of exactly what we should do, should focus on, or should give ourselves and our time to, God might have something else in mind for us.
So as we attempt to get into a semblance of a normal rhythm after the new year, and after snow and ice and cold, consider asking God: “what do you want of me? And where do you want my attention?” The response may not be immediate. And it may take a moment to pause long enough to hear God. But if we ask, we might be surprised by the answer. And, we might be surprised by the life God has for us.