consider

Eleven years ago, as a young mum-to-be, I spent the day with a friend to create some art. It was, in fact, my due date, but our little one was determined to stay put. As I pondered what to paint, I remembered a photo that hubby had taken in Fiji some years prior. Decision made, I recall being quite surprised at the speed with which the whole painting came together. There was a sense of God’s hand with each stroke of the paintbrush, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of this. Later on, I felt led to tuck words onto the canvas among the colours, like a call out to the Creator of this beautiful scene.

Consider. What does it mean to consider something? Some definitions include to “think carefully about” or “look attentively at.” Noticing what’s around you is an aspect of considering something, but it also goes further than that. It’s about interacting with it somehow, even if that’s only in your own thinking and pondering. Capturing it somehow in art, words or stories are also ways to consider something. Journaling. Allowing yourself time to stop and soak it in, to just absorb it for a few minutes, is another way. Listening, talking, and discussing something with others in a way that doesn’t just gloss over the tough stuff. That’s considering.

How about wonder? So many things can cause us to wonder if we take the time to stop and consider them as we encounter them. The beauty of creation, the uniqueness of the people in your life, an exceptional novel, the originality of a fresh idea, a feat of architectural engineering, a story of overcoming or even the absurdity of a funny quote or joke, just to name a few. When and how in your life do you take the time to stop and consider the wonders God has placed around you?

Today signifies the final stage of New Zealand’s lockdown. As of midnight last night, we moved to Alert Level 1, meaning that life is making a shift back towards “normal” within the borders of our country. At the same time as I’m writing this to remind us all (myself included!) to stop and consider God’s wonders, I’m also so aware of the impact this pandemic has had globally, of countries who are still struggling immensely, of the flow-on effects this crisis has brought, and of so very, very many people hurting as a result. I’m aware of implications this lockdown has had on our lives and our nation, and the questions of what that will look like over days and months to come.

How do we balance that out? How do we choose moments to stop and consider God’s wonders, when on the flip side, the world can seem so broken and we can be so tuned in to the pain that others are experiencing? That’s not an easy question, and the answer isn’t necessarily a straightforward one, either.

Can I share something that I’ve learned from experience? I have learned that we cannot shoulder the responsibility for all the pain we can see, sense or carry. If we do, we are trying to be God, but the simple answer is that we are not. Sometimes there are tangible things that we can do, sometimes there are not. I have learned that we cannot assume the weight of the world on our shoulders. They’re simply just not big enough.

But we can’t just end this there! Stopping and considering God’s wonders doesn’t mean that we complacently accept what’s going on and ignore it in favour of living a wonder-filled life. It means that we grapple with the effects, we consider the pain along with the wonder, we support where we can and we carry that weight to God in prayer. I firmly believe that prayer is not a cop-out when we are willingly doing all that is within our power to make a difference. It’s exactly the opposite: it’s one of the most valuable things we can do.

There are some seasons in life – and we’ve all experienced them, I’m sure – where making difference literally just involves putting one step in front of the other and trusting that you’ll make it through. I’ve been there. The reality is, we can each only do so much. And I truly believe that what you can do (as little as it might seem to you sometimes) is enough. With God’s help we each can, and will, make a difference, right where we are. Just like every stroke of paint combined to create that piece of art I made eleven years ago, every brushstroke of your life is adding up to the masterpiece of you.

My prayer for you is that you are able to experience this grace for your soul today. May you find moments to stop and consider God’s wonders in the middle of everything that is going on for you. And see if, with a well-timed word or action, you can help to spread a little of that wonder wherever you go.

Kristy x

---

Not sure what this is all about? Learn more about Soul Graces here.