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There are seasons in my life that feel like hibernation - you know, that state of inactivity that characterizes animals like bears in the cold winter months. Hibernation is a way to conserve energy when the food supply is unavailable. It's pretty amazing when you think about how God designed animals to hibernate. But hibernation is a part of the lives of these animals. They need it to survive. My seasons of hibernation look a little different. They aren't characterized by inactivity but rather a huge surge of busyness and activity. Externally, it looks like the opposite of hibernation. Internally, I feel like a bear ready to sleep to conserve my energy. I realized this morning while getting ready that I go through a season like this almost every spring. There's usually that post-Christmas and winter break surge of activity. My spring semesters of college are always the busiest. Since this semester is my last, the pressure to do "all the things" before I graduate is on. However, these seasons are also the ones when I feel the most lethargic. In these seasons of busyness, my soul hibernation is a result of forgetting where my energy and my "food" comes from. Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." {Matthew 4:4} Jesus says this to Satan, when Satan tries to tempt him in the desert. Jesus is referencing what Moses says to the Israelites in regards to their ungratefulness of being brought out of Egypt and God's provision of manna. When I'm in a state of soul hibernation - when I just want to be inactive and not do anything, (because there's so much going on around me, yet my energy feels low), I need to be reminded that I don't live on bread alone. As a follower of Christ and a daughter of God, I'm dependent upon God's Words to revive my soul and give me energy. It's God's Word that conserves my energy to endure during seasons of busyness and to even evaluate what I should cut out. How about you? Are you in a state of soul hibernation? When there's so much going on around you, but you feel empty? Or even if there's not a lot of activity in your life right now, but you're just trying to survive the cold weather, there is hope! For one, all seasons change. Secondly, God never changes and He is the good Shepherd that wants to restore your soul, even in the midst of hibernation. This is what I'm clinging to during this season. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
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If you've been following the blog, you've noticed that I've been a little lax with posting. This isn't due to not having a lot of things that I want to share or write about or just not feeling like writing. If I'm honest, right now I'm in a season that doesn't give me much time to write but gives me a lot to write about. It's been an intense time of spiritual growth and having to choose the best things out of all of the good things. Blogging to me is a good thing, and at times it's one of the best things that the Lord allows me to do. But right now, there are other good things that take precedent, especially because it's my last semester of college. If I don't have time to blog, what am I doing? A lot! And it's a lot of good things, but they are also things that take time away from blogging. You know: school work, spending time with some great lady friends, Bible studies, and soaking up wisdom and knowledge. While it's fun, there are times when it's overwhelming (primarily the school work), and I find myself saying, "Come quickly, Jesus!" There are days when I long for heaven. Pure and simple. A Bible study that I co-lead is going through Philippians this semester. This past week we looked at Philippians 1:20-30. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. As we read through this passage this past week, it was like balm to my weary soul. I needed to be reminded that even on the hard days this life isn't permanent. And when the Lord does call me home, I'm going to be with Him and that will be far greater. But I'm not dead yet. My encouragement and hope is that of Paul's. I will continue to do the good work that the Lord has prepared for me: to love and serve Him, to share the gospel, and to watch Him be glorified in myself and the people around me. And sometimes that means not getting to blog as much as I would like, but the work that God has me doing is far greater. Side note, editing is in full swing for my senior film, which means long hours in the editing lab are in store, but I'm excited for the finished product!   |
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