Category Archives: Finding Direction

Planning, goal-setting, and making big decisions can be hard, but the Lord is here to guide us through them. Read specific strategies and broader ways of thinking to help through these times of transition and change.

Opening Doors

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Opening Doors

by Lydia Floren

It is easy to drift away from spending quality time with God. Some mornings, it seems I just go through the motions of spending time with God – present in body, but not always in spirit. We all do that sometimes, don’t we, especially when caffeine is in short supply or the baby has an ear infection? But when that time with Him get shortchanged, day after day, it isn’t long before we just stop meeting with Him altogether. From there, at least for me, things go downhill pretty quickly. Peace, hope, patience gradually diminish. Hurry and worry claim front and center. And joy? Well joy becomes a distant memory.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Psalm 24:7

Psalm 24:7-8 reminds me that nothing is more important – or more strategic – than letting the God of the universe into my heart, and truly connecting with Him.

Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. Psalm 24:8

Think about it: we have the most powerful being, the VIP of the universe waiting for us, wanting to connect with us every day. To give us insight and wisdom and encouragement before we head out into the field of battle. And, to fill our hearts with peace and joy.

Wouldn’t we do well to make that time with Him our highest priority?

May we always throw open the door of our hearts to the living God.

4 Steps to Planning the Year

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by Lydia Floren

I am a planner. Not in the “control freak” kind of way, just in the wanting-to-be-intentional-about- life way. So, the new year is an important time for me. Toward the end of the year, I start to think about where I have been, where I am going, and how best to get there. In January, I typically set aside a day or two to review and make some specific plans for the coming year. What does that look like for me? Well, it is different every year. Some years I am more detailed, others I just sketch out a more general framework. But my planning process always seems to involve these four steps:

Four Steps to Planning the Year:

Reflect
Review
Refocus
Revise

Reflection:

What happened in the last year? Events? Relationships? Commitments? Life situations?
How have I seen God working in these things?
How have I grown? What have I learned?

Review:

What were my goals/priorities/commitments from last year?
- Life goal:
- Other goals:
- Priorities:
- Permanent commitments:
How has my time spent in the last year, aligned with my life goals, priorities, commitments?

Refocus:

Ask God, “What is Your perspective of what has happened in the last year?”
Are there any goals/priorities/commitments I need to change or moving forward?
Are there specific plans that need to be revised? Ditched? Formulated?

Revise:

What do I see as the best strategy to achieve my goals in the coming year? In two years? In 5 years?
How does that translate into how I use my time on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?
What will help me to keep my life aligned with these goals/plans?

During this process, I continue to pray and seek God’s guidance, insight, and wisdom in each of these steps. And, at the end, I just give my new plans and schedule to God, and ask Him to show me what revisions need to be made.

What is your approach to planning?

Waiting for Directions

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This week’s post is from a guest writer, Rebekah Lowe:

Waiting is hell. Okay, it isn’t, but it is really, really hard.

I have just come through a time of waiting, and it was no day at the beach. Unless it is a day with sunburn, sand in your shorts, and lots of jellyfish. Waiting is hard. Even when I know all the things. Like, that I don’t want to rush ahead of God’s best choice for me. And that I can trust that there is a good reason that I am waiting. And that He always thinks up better solutions for me than I do for myself. And that He will take care of me in the meantime, while I wait. Still…

We were going to sell our house and move. Not just for fun. But because we needed to reduce our expenses. It took us awhile to face facts, to understand that a move was necessary. But we came to realize it, researched best options to sell, and put the house on the market. In terms of real estate markets, we live in a hot neighborhood, in a hot city, and it was Spring. The triple threat, right? We thought we would sell the house in a couple of days, for near asking price. Everyone said so. We had watched God sell houses with remarkable speed for us several times before. I was fond of saying, “God does real estate!”, and He certainly does, just as he does anything He chooses to do for us.

The first weekend came and went, with many lookers, but no offers. We visited another possible home for us, and began to calculate what we might offer for that place.

The first month came and went, with many lookers, but no offers. We dropped the price a little, and I made my first of many spreadsheets, so I could analyze what we might net, at any given price.

I’m sorry to say, the first year came and went. Year!!! By then, I was just about at my wit’s end. Price drops, a different real estate company, nothing seemed to help. I still knew, just knew, that I dare not try to wrest control back from God. Not that He wouldn’t let me, He would have. God is a gentleman, as Lydia Floren says.

Rather, I knew whatever options I could manufacture would never live up to whatever He was waiting for. AND, it seemed pretty evident that factors that made sense in this world, like market strength, price points, and selling strategies were not the barriers.

So, I waited. Not without complaint. Not all that patiently. With the encouragement of my friends, I waited. With pleas for Him to do whatever needed doing, I waited. With Him meeting our needs all along the way, I waited.

And last week, He sold the house. I still don’t know why we were waiting, God and me, but I know that good things came from it.

During the last year, I went from reluctantly selling the house to being thrilled that the house sold: God gave me plenty of time to get used to the idea. Maybe He knew I wasn’t ready.
I remembered what it is to wait without knowing what we are waiting for. May I never blithely comfort a friend who is waiting again!
I learned yet again that God will continue to meet my needs, one step at a time. Apparently, I have to relearn this regularly. Maybe this will help me with a much harder problem down the road.
We found a wonderful new home that wasn’t available when our house went on the market. Maybe someone in that neighborhood needs me, or maybe I need them. Or, maybe God just thought it was a cute place for us.

So, if you are waiting, you have my full understanding, and buckets of empathy. If you belong to God, what I cannot give you is sympathy. Because, despite how it feels, good things are in the works for you, and you are being cared for all along the way. This interminable waiting will end, and end well.

And remember the quote from the movie, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?” The hotel manager is reassuring a guest and says, encouragingly, “Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it is not yet the end.” So true for God’s people: if it is not yet all right, it is not yet the end. Just you wait.

–Rebekah Lowe

Shoes At My Door

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by Lydia Floren

When we first moved to Wisconsin, I was surprised to find that, when people came to visit, they always left their shoes at my door. I soon learned that Wisconsinites shed their shoes, just like they do their coats, when they enter someone’s home. Children learn to do this almost before they begin to walk. In fact, around here, taking your shoes off when you cross a threshold ranks right up there with the “yes ma’am’s” and “no ma’am’s” of the South: good when you do it, really rude when you don’t.

At first this shoe-at-the-door thing didn’t make much sense. But that was because we moved up here in July. By December, the reason became obvious: snow. Well, not just snow – the sand and slush and salt and mud that accompany the winter months. Taking shoes off keeps everyone’s houses from being dirtied by the outside mess. This is such an ingrained habit in our Northwoods culture that, even when the weather is nice and the streets are clear, everyone still sheds their footwear when they come inside.

We each have some mud on our lives, especially this time of year.

Extra commitments, financial concerns, worry about family, renewed grief, loneliness. Some of the stuff is obvious while other parts – like the stirrings of old hurts – stay hidden beneath the surface.

As we step into each other’s lives, wouldn’t it be cool if we would remember to first take off our “muddy shoes”? That might mean setting aside happenings from earlier in the day: a difficult circumstance, or unpleasant encounter, or hurry or stress. Maybe it means withholding judgment, extending grace, forgiving, getting out of our own perspective and choosing to enter theirs.

This holiday season we are going to have many distractions.

And we are going to step into a lot of lives.

May we remember to set aside our stress and tread gently, giving others (and ourselves) extra grace.

BTW, wouldn’t it be wonderful if this “extra grace-giving” became a habit we practiced all year long?

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Love is patient, love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Overwhelming GRACE

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overwhelming GRACE

Overwhelming GRACE

by Lydia Floren

When life seems overwhelming, it is hard to wait on God. And even when we choose to be still, our minds can continue to race, robbing us of this precious time to re-energize and refocus.

Praying GRACE is an awesome way to break free of swirling thoughts, and drink in God’s peace and love.

Give thanks:

Thank you, God, that you are here. You love me, and those Iove. You know exactly what is going on. You meet me right where I am and are leading me in the next step. You are powerful and have everything under control. I am safe.

Release:

Father, you know all of these things swirling around in my head. I just leave them one by one at your feet. You are in control. I don’t need to be, and frankly, I can’t be. Thank you for helping me to see that. Forgive me when I try to take control instead of trusting you.

Accept:

Father, I accept the lighter load of following you, instead of trying to figure out everything on my own. I accept Your leadership and direction. Right now I choose to listen as you speak through your word, and your still small voice within me.

Continue:

God, I choose to continue moving forward in the way you have already led me, trusting you to make clear any changes that need to be made. Thank you that even if/when things don’t seem clear, you will open doors, close others, helping me to see plainly which way to go.

Enjoy:

Father thank you that I can just enjoy the day in front of me, knowing that You’re with me–reassuring, guiding, loving. I can enjoy each moment knowing that you’re taking care of everything, and that you have the big picture in mind.

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Don’t Rush. Just Rest.

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by Lydia Floren

You know, Jesus had a pretty big “to do” list to accomplish in his 33 years of life:

Grow up (and never do anything wrong).
Take 12 random guys (some of whom can’t read or write), and, in 3 years, shape them into world leaders.
Be tortured and killed, in spite of what you want to do, and defeat the greatest enemy the world has ever known.

Yeah, Jesus had a lot on his plate. But think about it. Can you imagine Jesus rushing around – interrupting folks and cutting people off in traffic so he could get His “important stuff” done? Of course not.

Jesus was never in a hurry.

He said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

When we come to Him, in the middle of our busyness, he gives us rest. We find “rest for our souls.” And we can go about our day, packed as it may be, settled and at peace in that “zone of rest,” knowing He is with us and within us, guiding and leading us to do what is most important.

There is plenty of time to do each day what God would have us do without rushing.

Don’t rush. Just rest.

Wait

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by Lydia Floren

Sometimes, life spins out of control. We have so much to do that we don’t know what to do next. We make “to do” lists of our “to do” lists. We are busy, but we don’t seem to be going anywhere. Finally, we get so overwhelmed, we hit a wall, and turn back to God. Here is a conversation with God, based on Isaiah 40:27-31:

“Help!! I’m dying here, God. Don’t you get it?”
“Oh yeah, I get it, alright. I’ve seen this a lot.”
“Well, what should I do about it?”
“You really want to know?”
“Of course.”
“You are not going to like this.”
“Try me. I’m drowning here.”
“OK, here is what you need to do: wait.”
“Really? That’s the best you got?”
“Yup, the very best I have. Waiting will get you where you need to go more than all that running around you are doing.”

Wait? That seems like the last thing we need to do when we are overwhelmed. But waiting is different than we think. It is not tapping our foot nervously, glancing at our watch. It is not reciting our problems expecting instant solutions. Waiting on God is the practice of stilling our minds and hearts and spirits. Giving thanks. Connecting. Savoring His word. Listening.

When we stop. And still ourselves. And just focus on God, appreciating who He is and what He is about, everything becomes clear again.

In His presence, God gives us

Perspective: When we are in God’s presence, He helps us see what is truly important.
Wisdom: When we wait, God gives us wisdom and discernment about how to move forward.
Power: Focusing on God, and being restored gives us new energy. It empowers us to take the next step.

The most important time to wait – to spend time in God’s presence – is when we don’t “have the time.” When we do, we step into our day at peace, settled, confident. Pretty soon we are trotting, then running, and before we know it, our feet lift off the ground, and we soar.

“Yet, those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength;
they will mount up with wings like eagles,
they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31

God’s Answer to Overwhelm

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God’s Answer to Overwhelm

by Lydia Floren

Do you ever feel like you have too much to do and not enough time? What a question! Of course you do. Life in the 21st century rolls along at neck-breaking speed. We can try to manage it (and that is good to do) but even with our best efforts our lives can get out of balance. We get exhausted. Malnourished. Crabby.

We “don’t have time” to exercise regularly, or eat healthy food. We sleep poorly, because we stay up late doing stuff, or we have so much on our minds that it’s hard to get to sleep, or stay asleep.

And how can we possibly afford to spend 30-60 uninterrupted minutes in our day for time with God? Our life is one big interruption!

When I was in medical school, I regularly experienced this sense of being overwhelmed. There was too much to learn. Not enough time to grasp it all. And the constant fear lurking in the back of my head: If I didn’t learn this, would some patient die as a result? How would I ever be a good doctor? I would pray, “God, what have you gotten me into? Or what have I gotten myself into? Did I hear you wrong, when I felt you leading me toward going to medical school?”

Isaiah 40:27-31 was my answer from Him:

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God?””

Huh. That sure sounds a lot like me.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.”

Yeah, I “know” this. I’ve heard it all my life. I guess I just don’t remember it or believe it very well. So, You DO know what is going on. You know exactly what my situation is. Good. [rub hands together] What’s the plan?

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.”

Sounds good. I am ready for some of that strength and power, especially the brain power.

“Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”

Wait? Wait. You want me to wait? What do you mean “wait”?

[More next week.]

Share with Us: What have you learned when you find yourself overwhelmed?

Prepping for Success

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by Lydia Floren

It is always soul-enriching, being with God. Why do I wait? What could possibly give me more life than spending time in His presence? Having those moments that soak into my soul?

Nothing.

Prepping for success

How can we be prepping for success? How do we minimize distractions first thing in the morning, and optimize our chances of success, in this all important meeting with The Person Who Loves Us Most? Here are a few thoughts that have helped me:

1. Restrict my daily “To Do” list to 5 items. I only allow 5 things on my to do list every day, and #1 is “Be loved by God, and listen.“

2. Plan and Prepare the night before:

Straighten up the night before, especially the area where I have my prayer/time with God.
Make this area inviting—soothing, peaceful. Pictures, flowers, music at the ready.
Get coffee set up to go automatically.
Have my journal/Bible/materials set out.
Go to bed on time, and set my alarm.

2. Keep a running task list handy. When things I need to do, or ideas I have, start crowding my mind, I can write them down and get them out of my head.

3. Continue reviewing my priorities and goals, so other things don’t creep into my life and
rob me of the most important things.

What do you do to stay focused in your daily meeting with God? Please share! I would love to hear from you!

A Recurring Struggle

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by Lydia Floren

It happened again. I got distracted, and pretty soon two hours had passed and I still hadn’t spent any time alone with God. Once again, I let other things keep me from meeting Him at the first of my day: an unfinished project, a messy house, calls to make, emails to answer. It is a recurring struggle.

I am not alone in this recurring struggle.

C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity,

“The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving that all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in and so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussing and fretting; coming in out of the wind.

“We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system, because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through.”
Wow. Moments of “letting that other, larger, stronger quieter life come flowing in.” . Moments of joy, of peace, of finding perspective, of talking to my best friend. The more I have of these, the more I hunger for them.

Everything really does fall into place once I take the time to really connect with God, soaking in His love and presence.

Worth the effort, I think.

What are your thoughts?