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I have found the internet to be unsettling!

I have settled on many things in my life.  I do believe that there is objective truth.  Just not as many of them as I used to think there was. 

I have been certain about many things that have been proven wrong over the years.  I figured that fat was good for you – so I eat lots of margarine.  Better rethink that one!  I was certain my genetics would help me grow old easily and for a long time.  I’m not so certain about that after double knee replacement and cataract surgery – all before I reach 60 years of age.

Recently I heard the phrase that vision influences through clarity, not certainty.  When you are leading people, vision casting is one of the main things that you are called to do.  For years the idea has been that we need to tell people exactly what needs to be done – to be certain about how life will unfold and where people fold into that life.

I’m not so certain about that! 

Lately my optometrist has seen “floaters” in my eyes.  He says the brain adjusts to these annoying things, blocking them out.  But they are still there.  I think sometimes we block out what we don’t want to see.  And we are certain that the “floater” is no longer there. 

Perhaps our calling as leaders is to open up the eyes of those who follow us by helping them to see.  Helping them to see a little bit more each day.  Helping them to see without blinders.  Helping them to see with clarity.

For when clarity is combined with courage and our calendar, our lives end up being lived simply – simply for what counts!

The closeness of an object magnifies it’s significance.  Or completely blurs the big picture. 

I’ve been in the midst of circumstances lately in which I needed to take a bigger gaze than just upon the circumstance itself.  I’ve called this gazing on God.  When I put things in the lens of God, things come into some perspective.

I can’t say I’ve always achieved that sense.  I’ve started to use a phrase – “Even if” that helps me view my circumstances. 

In that phrase is tucked the sovereignty of God.  When I begin with the idea that God is in control, all of a sudden other things become less menacing. 

With the resignation of our Associate Pastor, I was placed in just such a circumstance.  Our plans were turned completely around, and I was left without a plan.  That is unusual for me, and perhaps a bit frightening??? 

In a feeble way I have tried to fix my eyes on Jesus.  Over the past few weeks, various meetings have proved to be opposite to what I had expected (which was along the lines of worst case scenario).  As well, I have tried not to become defensive but rather to receive wisdom and instruction as needed.  Again, not always done well but I’m finding a measure of peace.

May God grant us all peace today!

In our bedroom is a small wooden container – built as an art piece in the 1980’s.

We are calling this our ark of the covenant.  Inside are now pictures of our wedding, the marriage certificate and other items that relate to our covenant of marriage.

One day in the not too distant future our children and grandchildren will be around.  We’ll ask them if they want to see the ark of the covenant.  We’ll have to explain that this is not the ten commandments – and Moses is not about to appear.

But God is there.  In the details – that work out as reality in our daily lives.

Come over some day!

See the ark of the covenant!

Within my sphere are various groups of people I love.

One of those groups is housed in an active living seniors complex called “Caleb Village”.  Not only do they find their house there, they have great meals and tea times and social events.  Some of which I get in on every  once in a while.

One of my privileges is to do a devotional time there in a rotation with other pastors.  Recently I ventured over and talked about Gazing on God (a theme I seem to keep returning to!).

Now, if you were to close your eyes and gaze, what would you see?

Here are some of their answers:

• Arms open
• Disappointed with the way our world is going
• Smiling – happy we are there
• Jesus sits on God’s right hand
• Inviting the heavy laden
• Welcome, my child

Not a bad list!  What else would you list?