Against the Rock

In my last post, I proposed a challenge that essentially suggested we pay less attention to the news (man-made stories) and instead spent a bit more time focusing on the rhythms of nature (God-made stories).

How’d that go for you? Did you manage to make it the entire week? (It’s not too late to take the challenge, by the way; there’s no “late penalty” for this one…)

I know for me personally, I was able to greatly reduce my news intake on a daily basis, and instead spent a little more time connecting with God through prayer, Bible time, and just being outside. 

Now, don’t get me wrong – I still check the headlines every day, and even caught the bait of one story this week that sent me spinning into anxiety for a good hour, but for the most part I was able to keep what some might describe as a sense of benevolent detachment from it all.

What is benevolent detachment, you ask? Author John Eldredge explains is so beautifully here, but in general it is a kind and compassionate approach of releasing what we can’t control over to God and allowing ourselves to be filled with the knowledge that he is above our circumstances, above our concerns, and above our fears.

Could any of us use a little of that at the moment? 

I know I could always benefit from more of that mindset. 

Hence, placing limitations on my news intake. 

Because here’s the deal: I’m pretty sure both sides are pushing stories that probably aren’t 100% factual (shocking, I know!) Both sides want to evoke anger, fear, incredulity, or a sense of panic in order to win you over to their position. 

I don’t feel like constantly pumping in those types of emotions are what’s in our best interest. 

So why do we constantly find ourselves drawn to those types of messages?

It’s almost like watching a horror film before bedtime. Sure, it might stoke your adrenaline a bit, but are the nightmares and fitful sleep even remotely worth it? (I’ll give you a hint: the answer is a resounding “NO”.) 

We do have control over what we allow in our heads, friends.

We can choose to subject ourselves to the agendas of others, or we can choose to embrace the narrative that God has for us. And this is precisely why I offered last week’s challenge: try both approaches on for size, and tell me which one produces more peace, more gentleness, more kindness, more joy?

Again, I’m not promoting a lifestyle of ignorance, but honestly – you can get the basics in under 10 minutes a day. And that includes your social media “news” as well.

So, for those of you who accepted the challenge last week, here’s your next step: take another step. Dig a little deeper. Press a little more firmly into God. Remove more distractions from your day, and really focus on the little things that remind us that things are going to be OK. Practice gratitude. Train your mind to think about things that are lovely, trustworthy, and true.

Practice this daily and see if your perspective changes. Pay attention to how others receive you and notice if they see the difference as well.

And assuming all of that changes for the better, go back to gratitude – for that change, although it was initiated by your mental discipline, actually was facilitated by the God who gave us the ability to consider him and his ways. 

And if you didn’t take my challenge last week, here’s your next step: take a step! You can do it. I believe in you, and so do the other readers out there. We believe you can begin to turn your mind away from the noise, and instead focus on the true and lovely things that are out there.

Because they do exist, and I believe they exist in more abundance than any of us even realize.

Why do I believe that?

Because when I take a cursory look at human history, I see all kinds of twists and turns in the plot. I see people who, throughout the course of time, have experienced political change (and even unrest!). I see people who have experienced social change (and even unrest!). I see societies that have endured environmental change (and even unrest!).

Humanity has endured.

Why?

Because I believe the story arc of God operates above our story arcs. I believe it is we who struggle with the meaning and interpretations of the events that we experience, and I believe there is a God out there who cares so deeply about his precious humanity, that he will allow us to sit in discomfort for a time, so that we can seek him.

Because when are we incited to change? Certainly not during seasons of comfort.

This is our season.

This is our time, as a humanity, to return to seeking after the one Truth in the universe.

This is our time to experience the peace and love and hope that is available to us all.

My hope and prayer is that you would take your step, whatever step you need to take today, and that you would experience a new narrative – one that offers freedom instead of bondage; one that offers hope and a future instead of despair and isolation.

May God’s peace be yours today and always.

 “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages.”

-       Charles Spurgeon