"Looking for Lovely"

“And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (CSB)

I need to be completely honest with you at the very beginning of this study. The last 18 months or so have taken me to the very end of myself. The most difficult portion of that season started right in the middle of last summer’s book club and lasted until mid-March. God has been so good and gracious. Even before I felt led to this book, He was guiding me to find the lovely, the meaningful, and the good in the midst of a necessary crushing.

Annie is going to share pieces of her story in each chapter, and I’ll share too. Today, though, I want you to think about your own, personal journey.

In chapter 3 of Genesis, the first humans took a wrong turn in their personal story with God. They lived in perfection yet chose a broken path. They lived in beauty but turned to lies. God had given them so much; however, they chose the one thing He wanted to protect them from. Their choice brought about some necessary consequences. I have no doubt, Adam and Eve lived seasons of crushing just like Annie and me. We will never know exactly how God related to them in every season. But, in this first crisis, we do get to see how God met them. He pursued them in their hiding.

“So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9)

Isn’t that interesting? I’m moved by this question every time I read it. God knew where Adam and Eve were. He’s God! So, why did He ask them such a simple question? Could it be that God wanted His children to notice their location before moving them to a new one? Did He want them to pay attention to the details of the season they were living?

If we look at life like a journey, it’s marked by so many different locations. Often, we don’t really see them until we are past them. We aren’t very good at paying attention. This morning, though, I want us to open our eyes to see our location. Would you sit with these questions in a prayerful way and journal your answers however it is helpful to you? Think about your current season as you answer. Please take about 2 minutes for each question and simply write everything that comes to mind.

1. What are your dominant feelings?

2. What have been your dominant thoughts?

3. What are your dominant desires?

4. How is your body (think about how your body feels)?

5. How are your primary relationships?

Now, take another two minutes and just read back over all of your answers to the five questions. Do you notice repeated words or phrases? What are the themes? Pause and ask God to uncover what He wants you to see as you answer for yourself, “Where are you?”

I’m leaving you with your thoughts today, and I’m praying that you’ll take the time to pay attention to your life. I can’t know what season you are in, but I know I can trust God to show you, love you in it, and lead you perfectly into the next one.

God, I’m so thankful that we don’t have to fear our afflictions. We can boast and rejoice in them, because these are the circumstances that will grow our endurance which will develop character. In all of it, you are building HOPE in us. Thank you, God, that Your hope will not disappoint. I pray that spaces of disappointment will lead us to find and experience more of you. Often, we don’t pay attention to the things we need to pay attention to until some of our earthly idols disappoint. We give you our summer and we ask that You will restore, refresh, and even recreate within us. We are ready! Amen.