Calling Conclusion take three

As we are traveling the inclines of life when we get to the top, sometimes it was worth the climb as in this photo:

 

 

 

 

Sometimes the stumbling and slipping and sliding and strain of traveling the incline can drain you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  When has this been true for you in the last twenty-one months?

 

 

And sometimes I feel like that small rock supporting the weight of the boulder in the photo above.  I find myself focusing and framing, wondering, and worrying, what if I let go?  Will everything come crashing and crumbling down?  Ever feel like that small rock above over the last twenty plus months?  What I often miss is that underneath that small rock there is an EVEN LARGER ROCK on which I stand, my faith is there.  I sometimes forget the foundation of faith of God’s love and grace that is always there!

 

Sometimes we feel like we are facing a daunting challenge where there are no steps up, just a steep, straight up climb that we are not sure we have the courage or confidence or chutzpah to do.  This image makes me think of Abram and Sarai or Hannah or Mary having the wisdom to say, “Yes” to a difficult moment.  Throughout the Calling Sermon Series we heard the beauty of God’s calling came with challenges.  In living the art project of life, it isn’t all unicorns and chocolate rivers, sometimes we strive and climb and wonder if we can really do it. 

 

Remember this story started with me taking a hike.  I am finding, focusing and framing on all sorts of images that are awakening the above stories.  Eventually I saw a trail marker that said, “Balance Rock this way.”    I was thinking balance sounded so good after the last twenty months.  As a type A, person who loves to plan, the last twenty plus months have felt dizzyingly disorienting.   So, I am all in on finding balance rock.  Balance rock and I are going to have a moment.  It is going to be a reset in my life, a brand-new chapter.  I am not building this up too much, am I??  You see already where this story is going.

Insert cliff-hanger moment here (pun intended)

 

For today, I invite you to consider what does balance mean to you?  Does it mean holding up a boulder or scaling a steep wall with no stairs?  Are there ever beautiful moments when you sense God’s love like the photo that started today?  May those question stir in your heart on this half way point through this week.