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“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” 1 Corinthians 14:33
“But all things should be done decently and in order” 1 Corinthians 14:40
The season is Thanksgiving. The holidays are upon us again another year. But when everything feels topsy-turvy, celebrating seems impossible. We now find ourselves between houses, in a temporary rental, living with very little furniture and everything else we own packed away in storage. It has been a challenge. We know we “need” nothing, yet we cannot find anything. And now, at Thanksgiving, we are faced with an approaching Christmas season with no lights, no decorations, no Nativity, no tree. Everything seems chaotic.
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This time of year, we are to feel thankful, blessed, fortunate. And while I know our house will be wonderful and our lives in a new town will be exciting, right now I would be content with a sofa to sit on, a few minutes to breathe, and a cup of coffee. But it is not just the physical environment that is challenging. My mind and heart have not been in a good place. My father recently joined our Savior in heaven, my mother has significant health issues, and there are other family members with serious health concerns. Unfortunately, I have allowed the overwhelming chaos and sorrow steal away my peacefulness.
For the first time in many years, I am grasping for God, knowing He continues to extend His hand to me. I am praying that I can reach far enough out of this chaos to grab hold of His hand. Praying that He will pull me along, one foot in front of the other, with my head up looking toward our Lord. I am constantly searching through the Scriptures, listening to Christmas music, providing as much kindling as I can to light the faith fire in my heart.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand Proverbs 19:21
The most difficult part of these past few months has been finding the faith in my heart and mind to trust that this is His plan. To trust that somehow, this chaos makes sense, and it is for a purpose that I cannot see from here. It is at this point I came to realize that trust is perhaps the most important aspect of faith for Christians. When believers have trust, there is faith. When we have faith, we have hope.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you Psalm 56:3
The idea that trust, faith, and hope are all connected, brings a sense of order into my chaotic world. With trust, faith, and hope, I feel thankful for the joy and peace that we have as Christians. I am thankful for the love of family, the warmth of sunshine in the world of our Creator, and the smiles that greet me on this Thanksgiving day. And most of all, I am thankful for the love of our Savior, who first loved us, and in whom I trust with the plan for my chaotic life.
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope Romans 15:13
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