So, Hello. How've you been? How's the family? Got any dreams, goals, or grand schemes that you're cooking up for the New Year? How are those resolutions going?
This year, the change from the old year to the new year was one of those just-another-day-only-now-I-have-to-remember-to-write-a-new-number-in-the-date kind of changes. You know how some years, you're all, "Oh wonderful! It's a brand new year full of promise and new beginnings and fresh starts"? Yeah, I'm usually like that myself--all optimistic and full of resolve to change old habits and begin new ones.
Not this year, though. I started the year in kind of a funk, and it's been kinda hard to shake it.
For clarification, I'm including several definitions of "funk," in case you aren't exactly sure what I mean.
funk [fəŋk]
- n. a bad odor; a stench. : What is that ghastly funk in here?
- n. tobacco smoke. : Most of those important decisions are made by party hacks in funk-filled back rooms.
- n. a depressed state. : I've been in such a funk that I can't get my work done.
- n. cowardice; terror. : She suffers this terrible funk whenever she has to give a talk.
- n. a kind of blues rock; jazz based on gospel music. : Man, groove on that funk, would ya?
(Bad joke, I know, but I couldn't resist.)
The definition that is most fitting for my funk would be #3, a depressed state, but maybe not so much depressed as blah.
Yesterday, though, I think some of funk started to lift. Everything's gonna be just fine. God's still on His throne, and His Word is just as full of promise, new beginnings, and fresh starts as it always has been.
See, yesterday, I told the Lord some things.....they were things that were just between us, so I'll not tell you the details....and after I told Him what I had on my mind, I really believe He spoke to me. Not audibly, mind you. I've never heard Him audibly speak, but I believe He could if He had a mind to. Anyway, I believe He spoke because of some things He led me to in scripture and even because of an email in my inbox that spoke so much of what I had just been talking to Him about.
Here's what was in the email:
Jim Elliot, a famous 20th century missionary to the Auca Indians in Ecuador, once wrote in his journal,
I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. If he can keep us hearing radios, gossip, conversation, or even sermons, he is happy. But he will not allow quietness… Let us resist the devil in this by avoiding noise as much as we can, purposefully seeking to spend time alone, facing ourselves in the Word…Satan is aware of where we find our strength. May he not rob us!
Avoiding the noise.Jim Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty, 112-113[the email was sent from The Radical.net Blog]
Purposefully spending time alone and facing ourselves in the Word.
I really believe that most of my funk issues stem from the noise level in my life. I'm not talking about the noise that comes along with the territory of being a mother. I'm talking about the noise that I create or even seek out for myself.
Like iPhones.
And Facebook.
And Twitter.
And Pinterest.
And podcasts.
And talk radio.
And blogs.
And Ruzzle.
And books.
And sewing.
And art projects.
And the list goes on and on and on.
I think I have so much noise in my life right now that my priorities are out of order, and thus, the funk has settled in.
But it doesn't have to stay. Not at all.
For my entire adult life, it seems like every issue or struggle I have always comes back to this:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)He is first.
His plans before mine.
His ways and not mine.
He increases while I decrease.
It's amazing how--when I remember that this is His world and not mine, and when I put Him first--He never causes me to feel like I'm lacking anything that I truly need. Whatever I'm in need of, He always provides.
Putting Him first and escaping the noise....that's how I'm shaking this funk.
Wishing you all a Happy, Funk-Free New Year.
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