My Head In the Sand

I love the news and I hate the news. I enjoy keeping up on current events and I hate keeping up on current events. I like staying informed at all times, and I prefer to enjoy blissful ignorance. Does this sound familiar? I am ever riding on the emotional roller-coaster of needing to know verses knowing too much and just like riding a real roller-coaster,  being aware of all that is happening around you comes with sharp turns, loops, high hills, and deep drops. Sometimes I wish I could just stick my head in the sand.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Growing up I was a worrier. I worried about everyone and everything. I worried about pleasing my family, getting good grades, being a support for my mom, my weight, my looks, my clothes; you name it and I worried about it. I used to claim blissful ignorance until I kept hearing how naive I was, and then once I unloaded my baggage on folks, then I would get those surprised looks or the immediate silent stare. You know the one people give you when they have underestimated how smart and observant you really are? Yeah I would get that a lot. But honestly life was easier when I “pretended” everything was sparkles and rainbows. As I got older, and gained more understanding of God and His purpose for me, it became a lot harder to ignore what was plainly in front of me…..

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Are you feeling the heavy burdens of anxiety or fear today? And maybe not personally; you may have loved ones or friends who are dealing with situations totally out of control. As I watch the news broadcast powerful storms, catastrophic earthquakes, talks of war, violent protests, and all the craziness in between, I can’t help but wish to stick my head in the sand. But, in living for Christ, I must recognize the load I bear in this walk. I am responsible in sharing a light that many have not yet seen. And during these precarious times it is all the more important to spread the message of love, faith, forgiveness, and redemption. How many of us need that today?

Finally, I challenge you this week to get your head out of the sand. Take in the world that is around you and not just be aware of others struggles, but see what you can do to help lighten someone else’s burden. It maybe a kind word, message, or deed that will make a huge difference in a person succumbing to their circumstances or rising above them. As we continue to hold onto God’s unchanging hand I leave you with this verse. And remember you got this!

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

Sincerely,
Terryn