I feel drawn to blog today, but fear I have nothing to say. In fact, as I consider the date, I realize that I have done very little blogging this month. Besides the election stuff and a bit of fun around fantasy football, I apparently have had little to say in the month of November 2006. One of the fun things about the fact that I have been blogging for a while now is the opportunity to look back at what I was writing about this time last year. Apparently, last year, November was all about gratitude. I blogged about the gratitude that I feel for my family, my marriage, the beautiful fall leaves. I still feel grateful for all of those things. Profoundly grateful, in fact. The things that I wrote last year still hold true as we celebrate another Thanksgiving and, once again, offer up prayers of gratitude for the abundant blessings we enjoy.
But, in addition to gratitude, what else am I experiencing spiritually this November? I was thinking about that last night while I was waiting for Steve and the girls to get back with our Christmas tree. The words that come to mind first are quietly reflective. The sense of urgency…the push for more…the drive to figure it out, understand, go deeper that often characterizes my walk with God…whatever that is in me…that part of me is quiet right now.
Here’s the thing, I don’t know whether that quietness is good or bad. In the past, my spiritual restlessness has caused me to seek Him for answers…driven me deeper into His Word, into His presence. While I may not have always found the answers I thought I wanted, I always found God. And, of course, that was usually all the answer I really needed anyway. He is, was, and always will be all the answers I need. In that sense, this quieting of my spiritual curiosity may turn out to be a negative thing.
On the other hand, I have recently felt the need to act on what I believe in different ways. To participate in the work God is doing in the world…I guess maybe to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. I am trying on some new hats, exploring some new things. Perhaps my virtual obsession with the election was part of that outward focus. I look around at the world outside of my little safety zone and I feel the need to DO something, not just talk about it. Maybe this is a time to get away from my inward forcus (me and God) and move into a time of outward focus (God and the world.) In that sense, if I am able to find a new way to meaningfully contribute, this phase may turn out to be a positive thing.
So, positive or negative? Maybe both, maybe neither. Either way, it is where I am today. No big questions, no spiritual conundrums, no profound insights to report. Just trying to listen and then do the next right thing. I’ve always thought this verse is a worthy goal for which to aim:
Micah 6:8 (New Living Translation)
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Love the last line of the Message version of the same verse:
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.
