So there's this thing called Write 31 Days that starts today (October 1). The challenge is to choose one topic and dive deep in just one month's time, inspiring writers to write more and readers to read more.
Simple enough....right?
Wrong.
I've been mulling over this for weeks, trying to decide whether or not it was worth the stress of having to figure out a topic to stay writing on for THIRTY-ONE days. Thirty-one!
Don't these people know that I'm a full-time student, part-time employee, part-time-babysitter, youth worker, fiancé, daughter.... Right.
And just like that I've found my topic.
Sometimes I am so stressed that I literally cannot form one cohesive thought and yet, that doesn't stop me from saying 'yes' to everything. And I do mean everything.
Do you ever feel that way?
Like, life has spun so far out of control that all you can do is cry?
Me too.
But it doesn't have to be this hard. It shouldn't be this hard. God has made us for joy and peace and laughter just because. He sent Jesus to this earth because life is not supposed to be so full of anxiety and stress. If He sent Jesus to pay the price, then why do I keep beating myself up because I can't be everything to everyone?
Genesis 3:10-12 says, "He replied, 'I was afraid because I was naked.' 'Who told you that you were naked?' The Lord God asked. 'Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?'"
Adam tells God that he hid because he was naked, but God's response is what breaks my heart. So often I have pictured God as being angry in this moment. I always feel like He's disappointed in humankind, in me, for the things I have done wrong. But this morning, I saw a different side of God.
He is genuinely asking, "Who told you this about yourself? I certainly didn't speak this over you. That's not what I had in mind for you."
In that, I break.
I now see a Father who isn't mad and doesn't want revenge. He's sad. He's sad because this wonderful creation He sees as having so much untapped potential has identified itself with something other than Him. We allow so much unnecessary fear and stress into our lives when we believe anyone other than God. That's what I want to explore.
As I sit here and type, I've got a messy kitchen, day-three hair, and a way-too-early Christmas Tree-scented candle. I spent the entire morning babysitting and desperately need a shower. I certainly don't know what these next 30 days, much less 30 minutes, will hold, but I do know that amidst the chaos, I have an anchor, and that's enough. He is always enough.
Twitter: @Smashley355
