What is Shaping Your Life Right Now?

What is shaping your life right now?

What immediately comes to mind?

For months this question has been rolling around inside my head.

Is it the press and stress of finances?

Or a seemingly lost relationship?

Is it the feeling of unhappiness at work?

Or the sense of fading dreams?

Is it a child going his/her own way?

Or aging parents?

What immediately comes to mind?

I think a helpful clue to determine what is shaping your life right now is to think about what consumes your thinking; what or who you are trying to control; who you are trying to manipulate or what you’re obsessing about.

In our fast-paced, instant culture of NOW, often we are shaped not just by our inward thoughts, but also by the way we chase comparison with others.  We are one click, one picture away of being shaped by someone or something.  One image.  One pulse.  One idea.  Always immediate.  Always setting up a contrast in our minds of something we lack, someone we’re not, something we should have, or some thought we should believe.

But in this shaping, where does it leave us?  What does this influence do to us?

As summer gives way to autumn, and we look ahead to the busy school year and the upcoming holiday season, let’s pause.  Yes, even as our schedules are shaping us.  Let’s pause, so that we can be shaped by Someone other than all the things and people who seem to be shaping us.

With the same ease it is to swipe through a social media account, let’s pause and spend each day this week with some quiet.

10 minutes?

20 minutes?

Whatever is possible without causing stress, find a quiet place.

Pick up a Bible and read one psalm.  Choose just one per day.

Each one is a prayer.  While you read it, think about it.  Reflect on its message and passionate plea.

I imagine within a week or so, something new will be shaping you. Someone of love.  Of intentionality.  Someone of peace.

God, Himself.