Learning from Loss

This blog is designed to give people an inner look at a devotional life. Taking time each day to spend time with the Lord. The hope is if you travel on this journey with Rev. Jacob Shaw, you may be more inclined to spend time with the Lord as well. I encourage the use of a devotional, a scripture reading and prayer, then finally a song, hymn or selection of poetry to tie it all together. 

Today's devotional is taken from: Vujicic, Nick. Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press, 2013. pp 115-117.

Opening Thought: It is always wise to take pause and evaluate your life, in the good time and the bad times. One of the best skills you can learn, is how to be mindful to your surroundings, thoughts and emotions. When you take stock and review how things are going, you will be better able to prevent hardship, better able to recognize what helps you do well, and if hardship does hit, then you know yourself better to help yourself move through the challenge.        

The devotional begins with: Job 35:9-11

“When times get bad, people cry out for help.
    They cry for relief from being kicked around,
But never give God a thought when things go well,
    when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts,
When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom,
    using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

Second Thought: Apart of evaluation in Christian life is seeking understand about where God is taking you in life. It is great to take stock of what is going on with yourself, but you also should ask the question, ‘what is God calling me towards?’ This question is really hard to ask in difficult time but very helpful. Don’t worry, the more you practice the easier it will get to ask. When you feel the world is falling around you, if you can remember that God has a plan for you, He is calling you towards something and even though it may not be pleasant doesn’t mean there isn’t opportunity to do righteousness. Keep pressing on and do your best.      

Continual Work: Seek out some writing on mindfulness, this is something that is found in different cultures and psychology. A Christian mindfulness would be taking stock of the self with God as guide. In a way, you can think of it as your complete self is in harmony with God. Asking what is going on in my life; how does this make me feel, think and resonate spiritually? Then ask, what does God want to see from me in this situation? This should give you some framing to how to get to a place where you feel spiritually confident.

What Rev. Jacob is Working On: Covid-19 has caused this situation of needing to be mindful a lot for me this year. As a church community we would always make decisions and changes slowly and with much group discussion. During this time of c19, we have had less ability to progress as a unit, and more requirement to think on the fly.   

Scripture time: Proverbs 11:14

A nation falls through a lack of guidance, but victory come through the counsel of many.

During my time of university, I had reached a point where I was working three jobs, on top of full-time studies. To say the least, I was over stretched. However, since I was paying my own way through university, it had to be done. I remember becoming very stressed and I decided to seek counseling to give myself some support. I met with one of the university’s counselors and we began to chat. She asked me what I was working towards, I told her ministry, and soon I realized something. My counselor was also looking for guidance. I could tell she was very unchurched, and irreligious; however, she had a curiosity and some questions about life and how to understand them in relation to God. After a few sessions with her, I realized I had become counselor and she had not even noticed.

This made me realize at a young age we all need counsel, other voices to help see us through. Even if we are the professional, sometimes we need support too. When we are trying to take stock of our days, seeking support is always wise. There is a variety of counselors, support workers out there, psychologist and psychiatrists, who can help teach you skills to be more mindful to your life, gifts and challenges. One of the best experience I have ever had is with a spiritual director, who also had training as a clinical psychologist. Like I said, variety!  

Closing Words: I hope you enjoyed and were lifted by this devotional time; it is truly important to take time for God each day. By doing so, you welcome God into your life, and in turn you will be able to better see the world through the eyes of God, rather than God through the world's eyes.

Artistic Close:

As we never should go through life alone, here is a song that popped into my head this morning.

LEAN ON ME (Bill Withers)

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load

If you just call me (call me)
If you need a friend (call me) call me uh huh (call me) if you need a friend (call me)
If you ever need a friend (call me)
Call me (call me) call me (call me) call me
(Call me) call me (call me) if you need a friend
(Call me) call me (call me) call me (call me) call me (call me) call me (call me)