2020 came with the reminder of everything we can’t control and regardless of how we shape it, nothing’s guaranteed. So how do you build up resiliency and retreat from the anxiety of hard tomorrows as we enter a new year with more questions than answers?
With the start of a new year, how about considering carving out an intentional place for your soul to rest? Think about creating a cozy space that can foster a calm in you–a place that calls you to step back from the ever-turning “go” on the spinning flywheel of occupation, physical work, relational work, emotions, and even intellect. Each day is a gift, but in order to receive it, you have to slow down to meet it. But how? Make a place, both environment and mindset, that you can let go of every boxed identity the world has encapsulated you in and step away, so that you can meet–and rest–in your true identity.
Color and texture weigh heavily into calming my soul. A comfy chair. Soft blankets in winter, lighting candles. Just doing really small things to make a corner of your world feel more snug will prepare your body and mind to rest your soul and awaken your senses to meet with God. Dark, winter mornings next to a fire before my house rises, along with a cup of coffee, are golden to me.
Sit in the quiet for a few minutes and clear your mind.
Ask God to join you. Sometimes we carry so many questions inside but never actually seek Him for answers. But before you begin firing off questions, first rest in the quiet. Allow God to be present right in that very second, that very moment. Whether you’re ‘religous’ or not, try it. Ask Jesus into that space. He was the one who welcomed people living outside the margins of religion, and often left the religious people pretty perplexed. Don’t get caught up in religiosity. Just invite Him. He won’t step into your quiet space to judge, but only to welcome you and love you.
Now leave space for God to reveal himself to you. Forego the expectation of drama, but anticipate transformation in the slow and steady minute by minute as you look with intention into who He is. Read a passage and sit with it, maybe just starting with something as simple as John 10:10: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
What does that passage mean to you? Ask God to show you what He means in that Scripture and leave space for God to reveal the answer. Pray either out loud or with a pen and write it down. Sometimes your ears need to hear the cries of your heart, and often your eyes help set your mind on things above instead of what’s in front of you.
What do you consider a rich, satisfying life? Your cozy, safe space with Jesus is the best starting point.
What do you think has been stolen or destroyed?
Talk to Jesus about it. It’s as simple as that. Then insert your name into that passage: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. But Jesus’s purpose is to give me a rich and satifying life.” Now try to memorize it, and take that with you this week.