Nowhere is Always Somewhere

It was Day 2 of our vacation, as we cruised toward the  Western Carribean, when  Zoe  and I were finishing breakfast on the cruise ship. I watched her gaze out of the window and saw her face as she saw nothing but water.  

“We are in the middle of nowhere” she announced to me and to the the other 5 strangers who were dining with us at our table.  

We all laughed at Zoe’s outspokenness and her  astute observation.  Which way was North?  Which way was South?  Where was East and West?  None of us knew exactly.

After all we were only passengers on this ship.

On our way out of the dining room we estimated how long it would take us to get to our destination, Jamaica. I leaned over and said to Zoe.  “You know what...I think that we are in the middle of somewhere, we just have no idea where “somewhere” is. She agreed.

Without  landmarks, without signage, without seeing what’s familiar, it’s  easy to think that we are nowhere.  I’ve felt like that before.  

Am I on course to fulfill “my” dreams, “my” goals,  how close am I to “my” destination?  We look at the situations and circumstances around us as leading indicators of our progress. And when those leading indicators are not easily recognizable and easy to interpret we feel unaccomplished, wasteful with our time and talent; we feel low.

I would suggest that much of our frustration in life comes from confusing our role, with God’s role.

On our annual family vacation, as we board the ship headed to exotic destinations, we are all ready to go on holiday and we are all clear on our roles as passengers.  

We are to enjoy the moments.  Take advantage of the opportunities. Try and learn something new.  Experience culture and diversity of people.  Appreciate impeccable service.  Respect others and ourselves.  Follow the rules,  and of course trust the captain of the ship.  

We are also clear on what our job is not. Our job as passengers is not to know where we are every nautical mile of the sea. Our job is not to know the inner workings of the ship. Our job is not to know how the captain does what he does.

Our job is to simply trust that the captain knows our location, even when we are not sure,  and to trust that he will get us to our destination  on time.

This vacation,  I made a new commitment to trust God with this “Life” ship though I am  presently unclear of where I am,  I’m certain of the destination and  I’m confident in who’s steering me.  I know I’ll get where I need to be  if I consent to the course, and I’m psyched about the breathtaking beauty I’ll behold when I get there.

With Change Comes Risk

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was much greater than the risk that it took to blossom."

                             Anais NIN

I am heading on vacation and don't want to fuss with my hair.  I am ...you guessed it...getting a weave. Yes, I know, most women don't admit that their hair is not their own.  It is uncouth, but I'm not known for "couth".  I'm known for truth... so...I have no issue with saying 24 hours from now, I will be "unbe-weaveable."  

Besides, to ignore the obvious is to ignore the big pink elephant in the room.  When we see a woman with a buzz cut one day and later on the same day she has hair long enough to sit on; it's obvious she has a weave.

Even so, I feel hesitant.  Long hair flowing in the breeze is really not my style. I am admittedly taking a risk.  

Will I look like Disney's version of "Pocahontas" or the Adam's Family's "Cousin It?"  

 I am reminded that risk is risky, because it makes us vulnerable to an unforseen outcome.

Abraham changed his address and risked the unknown.  Moses went back home and risked his safety. The woman at the well risked being further ostracized when she said, "Let me tell you about a man who told me everything I ever did." I imagine that she added, "... and you know I have done some stuff!"

Risk means the possibility of injury or loss.  Following Christ definitely has some risks.  Just ask Apostle Paul, who had things done to him that would confirm for most of us that God had not sent us and was not with us.  There was some injury and loss, but the reward was so much greater than the risk.

Bottom line, with change comes risk, and the question is not, "Will there be change?" The questions is ,  "How will I respond when there is change, whether it is forced upon me, or whether I am just taking a risk."

The best thing to know when taking a risk, is that faith in God steers you to the best possible outcomes.  Abraham believed God and God called him righteous.  Apostle Paul had faith in God when he said, "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength." It wasn't ALL RIGHT but it was ALRiGHT! 

I believe that God will meet me at every risk I take for Him.  I hope that he meets me in some of the risk I take for me.  Like my new hair do tomorrow.  I believe I will look like Halle Berry before the hair cut.

Touch and agree with me.