It’s been a while since I have written. Not because I haven’t wanted to but because it seems life has taken over. About the time I crossed the 1000 mile mark and completed my project, life threw me some curve balls. Just normal life issues- challenges with work and family. And although I have learned a lot over the past year in particular, I find myself in a similar position as I was a year ago. The circumstances are different but the coping skills are reminiscent to dealing with my son’s addiction. The fear creeps back in. Peace is gone. And I want to gain control back of my life. Only now, I know I need to explore what is driving my behaviors and shift my perspective. Now, I can choose to work towards peace. It is when my focus is on self-reliance that I get off-kilter. I have known the truth that God is bigger than any situation or problem. For some reason, I have to keep practicing a shift in perspective here. I have to look for truth. Not just the specifics of the circumstances but the messages I am creating or taking in about the value of what is being taught or guided or redeemed in the situation. And, how I am trusting in the truth that God is bigger than what I am struggling with at the moment.
Yesterday in Alanon, we talked about paradoxes of the program. I was thinking about that and how it connects to the Christmas story and the life and death of Jesus. In the book of John, he talks about the birth of Christ as “Word becoming flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The “Word” is defined in the Greek vernacular as divine mind. John goes on to describe Christ as light in the darkness full of grace and truth. John also described a paradox- “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” That rings so true for me. It is often easy to focus on the darkness of the circumstance and miss the light, I know the truth and yet I often don’t live life enough focused on the truth.
Whether you are experiencing active addiction in your family, other illness, or work challenges, changing your perspective from a human perspective to a spiritual perspective can allow you to see the light shine through the darkness. So, here are a few paradoxes that I believe can lead us to the freedom found in Christ’s light.
Simple Acceptance of current circumstances can allow our life to change. The actual circumstances may not change but your perspective does. Acceptance in the story of Christ’s birth found in Mary and Joseph’s response to being told a baby was coming was a beautiful example of faith. This was quite a difficult situation but they trusted God. We see acceptance in Christ’s example in the Garden of Gethsemane as he said, “Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will but you will.” Thy will be done. Christ knew that God’s plans are always bigger and better than man’s!
Surrender can allow you to regain a sense of control. The control that comes from understanding Christ’s surrender to the cross which ultimately led to his death wasn’t the end of the story. He was resurrected and life was given. When we surrender our life’s circumstances to God including our children, finances, health, there can be freedom and with that comes a sense of things being in control. Not ours but Gods… God’s plan is always bigger and better than man’s!
Humility allows us to be blessed and to bless. Our Savior came and was born in a manger. He came not in grandeur as man expected but in humble beginnings and as a servant to those he came to save. He lived and fellowshipped among the least of humanity. He served the sick. Humility allows for relationship. Through Christ’s example and his death, we are forgiven and called to forgive. And, we are able to be in direct relationship with God, the Father- God, Almighty- Maker of Heaven and Earth. All we need to do is believe and have faith. God’s Plan is always bigger and better than man’s!
Finally, Peace can be found even in the worst of circumstances. Jesus returns after his resurrection and comes to comforts his grieving disciples. He promises to send the Holy Spirit. And, with the Holy Spirit he promises peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God’s plan is always bigger and better than man’s!
So, no matter what is happening in your life. Shift your perspective. Accept and surrender in humility not to your circumstances but accept and surrender your circumstances to God. There is a big difference. Don’t miss the light found in the darkness. Don’t let your plans cause you to miss the purpose of God’s plan.
My prayer today for myself was that God would deliver me from my current situation. If that meant that the circumstances must stay the same, then please help me to change my perspective. I crave control and I crave peace. So, instead, I will rely on his active involvement in my situation- his control. And, I will rely on his promise of peace. My focus is on him. I will strive to understand his purpose and allow his plan to take shape. I know that his plan is always bigger and better than mine. And, My God is bigger that any problem that life throws at me.
Thy will be done. Amen.
Running today with a change in perspective…
