A lot of things can happen in 15 days.
Birthdays are celebrated. Work stresses are elevated. Friendships are rekindled. Paychecks are cleared.
15 days can be filled with uncertainty and ambiguity and questioning and worry. 15 days can be filled with sunlight, warmth, familiarity, and a welcomed embrace.
That’s the funny thing about life; it’s full of duality. Good mixed with bad. Light mixed with dark. The ability to host both hopefulness and despair. The emptiness life brings even while surrounded by our “happy things.” And a simple 15 days has the possibility to sling you one way then jerk you back towards the other.
So, why do we put our value and trust in things that this temperamental and unreliable life offers?? We know it’s incomplete. We know it’s fading. We know it’s imperfect. What draws us to this life?
Over the past 15 days, my life has morphed. My work world shifted and jumbled as I continued to prepare my 10th graders for their English state test. And my personal world swayed and rocked as I sent out letters of support and publicly made known my decision for the World Race. Eeeeek! I have a foot in two different worlds. And it’s all hard for me to take in and process.
After expressing my push-pull feeling in the September Route 5 Facebook group, a fellow racer (oh hey Katy Steele!) shared this verse, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” -Psalm 139:5 That word “hem” really hit me hard. God knows me. He stitched my life together. He knows where I am, and he knows all the places I’m heading. His powerful hand is laid upon ME. At all times. I can REJOICE in the knowledge that I don’t have to worry about this life and its inconsistencies and confusions. The God of the universe knit me together and lays His hands over me every day. That is my anchor. That is my center. So, come at me, life!! Come at me with your loveliness and vulgarity. Come at me with your misconceptions and manipulations. Come at me with your pleasantries and humor. Cause Psalm 139 tells me that my God knows me, searches me, and discerns my thoughts! That’s worth praising Him over.
So, 15 days.
You know what else can happen in 15 days? God can show up and take a fearful, anxiety-filled daughter and show her just how in control He really is. Since sending out my letters and publicly making known my decision to go on the World Race 15 days ago, God has called supporters to help me raise $4,820. As of right now, 9:07pm on Thursday, May 1st, I have 30% of my funds for traveling. All in 15 days. How great is our God!
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” All that is now before me, the next 15 days and then the next, I know that God has His hand upon me. He doesn’t need support letters, tshirts, arm bands, garage sales, or fundraiser suppers. But He allows us to use them for His glory. I pray that I will finish my teaching job with passion and persistence as I close that world and enter into this World Race world that will require just as much passion and persistence.
So, what will this life bring you over the next 15 days? And how will you respond to it?
-Laura
