Reaching Out – Looking In
Reaching Out – Looking In is a new diary journal which speaks my inner thoughts as I walk my walk in a society that is rapidly imploding. Will the church: the body of believers — will it implode or move through to where Jesus prescribes we are to be as part of His Church?
Some years ago (@2012 link), I began and wrote a weekly journal An Examined Life based on Socrates’ adage, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I continued for a few years, and a few years after I’d stopped, I had the idea to revive it (@2020 link), but failed.
Now in a new frame, I’m beginning again, this time not to copy the original idea but to take it and suit it to today in my walk with Jesus.
Reaching Out weekly
I’ll aim to have an insert every week, which I also plan to share in my weekly newsletter, Preparing the Bride for what better preparation than to walk together, with Jesus, through these times until this walk on earth is finished…
Hallelujah! Maranatha: Come Lord Jesus! And in the meanwhile, come one and all to the place of the heart, where Jesus abides with us and we abide with Him (John 15).
What’s on my mind this week: a feeling of helplessness
COMMENTARY: Identifying Helplessness
Wars and Rumours of Wars (Matthew 24): War is the season humanity seems to be in. When you look at war in the Ukraine — and all the media is focused upon it — you might overlook that Iran and Isreal continue to have altercations in Syria which are mounting, and there is a lot of sabre-rattling and backing-off between Russia and the USA. Of course wars continue to rage across the globe as well, both between nations (eg Saudi Arabia v Yemen) and within nations. Physical struggles rage. And there are the “warring” factions across the internet: rumours and attacks, where companies and individuals go at one another with accusations and threats, insults and blame.
It is no wonder I felt a bit of a squeamish unidentified feeling last evening of … what? I realised this morning it was helplessness.
I don’t often feel helpless. Perhaps it is knowing the LORD’s protection and trusting him. perhaps it is the relative safety of my personal environment, perhaps it is simply a gift; but rarely do I lose my sense of inner security, my groundedness. Why? Mostly because I’ve given up the illusion of control to Him. But then last night….
I realise my vulnerability
As I pondered whether to take in a refugee family from Ukraine, I realised reasons why it might not be a good idea.
When I sent my son back to school for the week, I realised I can’t control his life (nor do I want to!) and he’ll soon be finished school and on his own.
When I realised all the research in the world and scrutiny and prayer cannot change the direction the people of the earth are traveling: towards one form of destruction or another. There’s military war, there is moral disagreement, there is so much unresolved tension.
So, I manifested through a sense of nervous energy that I am physically and emotionally vulnerable.
Now that I’ve identified the feeling, the feeling doesn’t have a grip on me. But I hold onto the idea and the awareness that life is tenuous, the future is unpredictable on a global scale, and it can make me a bit light-headed or worried if I’m not conscious of it and attend to it.
Now what?
So, now that I know I’m feeling a bit helpless, I go to GOD and tell Him. I get His perspective, through dialogue, through His word, and through reflection.
What really matters most is the salvation of others and especially of those near and dear to me, and that I am ready for Jesus whenever he might call me: to work, to give, to follow his lead, or even to go to him.
The rest is acceptance: 1. accepting that I cannot rule the world nor change it. 2. other than through the prayers or actions I might take, I have little influence. 3. I am not responsible nor can I escape what I know and am accountable for. 4. “Trust in the LORD with all my heart” (Proverbs 3:5-6)… and Love GOD and love others.
Folks, the world is collapsing all around us. It may take some time yet, or it may be over very quickly. But either way, all we can do really is to prepare and pray. And that’s what I’m attempting to do. And when or if we feel unsettled, don’t stop there… keep pressing into your Father for how to apply the queazy impression to make a difference!
Maranatha! Jesus come! About 18 months ago, GOD spoke into my spirit and was clear and strong, “Jesus is coming soon.” Well, I don’t know GOD’s time table. Not even Jesus was aware of GOD’s time table (Matthew 24) when the disciples asked him. We don’t know GOD’s “soon”. But let’s assume it’s right round the corner. We can’t lose then, or waste time, or have regrets. Let’s press into GOD and be ready for whenever He might come.
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)