For much of the world we are starting to peek our heads out of our homes for the first time in months. We are slowly reopening or at least talking about when and what that will look like. I, like most of you, have mixed feelings about all that.
But that’s not what we are talking about today. Today I want to talk about the apocalypse. Yeah, that’s right, I said apocalypse. Because the Biblical definition of apocalypse doesn’t mean the end of the world, it simply means the revealing. It means the uncovering.
And no matter what you think of this time, it could rightly be called an apocalypse. So before we move forward into the new normal, I think we should take a minute to reflect on what has been revealed. And while this could go in a ton of different directions (don’t get me started on the idols that have been uncovered in this time) I just want to move forward with this one positive questions:
What are you keeping from quarantine?
What good thing has this time opened up in your life that you will hold on to as we move forward? What good thing is God trying to give you out of what has otherwise been difficult and devastating on a whole lot of levels?
For me, I have a few things I didn’t realize I needed until I had all the time in the world to figure it out.
* Family Style Meals
For years I had five very small kids. It was more expedient and convenient to simply plate their food and have them come grab plates. In the wide stretches of nothing to do I realized not only is expediency and convenience a not a priority, but while I wasn’t looking my kids grew up and became incredibly capable. So now we all chip in to meal times, someone sets the table, we bring all the food there and pass it around. It’s lovely and slow and so enjoyable.
While I know we can’t do this nearly as often as life starts to rev back up, it’s a practice I’ll be keeping as often as possible as we move on.
* A Walk/Jog
Listen, I was never going to be the fitness queen. I don’t particularly like to work out, but even amongst work outs, cardiovascular exercise is the worst. My oldest son, who is completely obsessed with football, got on a workout kick and ended up asking about going for a jog. So I downloaded a couch to 5K app and took off with a couple of my kids. Surprisingly, it actually feels kind of good. It feels like a kindness to my body, and a gift of time with my kids. We only go every other day (I’m not trying to get crazy) so I feel like this is a manageable keep.
* Work Flow
I’ve managed to find a good work rhythm and strangely enough? It’s one that would easily fit into what was formerly know as my “regular” life. I don’t expect the new normal to look the same (budget alone will mean less activities, I’m not mad about it), but even at a faster pace I've found a way to get work done regularly. It wasn’t so much about finding the time, but figuring out how much time certain tasks actually take. The more consistently I’ve done them, the more confident I’ve gotten that I can actually get them done in the margins of my day.
Now it’s your turn to reflect on this apocalypse, what has it revealed in you life? Specifically, what are you keeping? Let us know in comments below!
Don’t forget that WORD is available through this week! If you’ve already done the class I’d love for you to share it with a friend or send me some feedback!
Struggle to have a consistent prayer life? Or just feel like you are coming up blank when you try to pray? Our next class AFTERGLOW will be out in just two weeks! Sign up for a free trial below to get the class. (Don’t worry you can cancel anytime!)
Want to know what all classes we’ll have for our premium subscribers?
* WORD. Yes and Amen to Every Word of God
This is a class designed to get you in God’s word simply and practically. It will help you know where to start, what questions to ask, and how to know if you’re getting it right.
* AFTERGLOW. Powerful. Practical. Prayer.
We will go through powerful models of Biblical prayer to find out how to what it is, how we can lose our baggage around it, and grow close to Jesus through the relational practice of prayer.
* THE FACTS OF LIFE. A Bible Study in Genesis 1,2, &3
This will be a summer bible study where we study creation as more than just apologetics, but as the foundational story that sets up the whole story of scripture.
* WHOLE AND HOLY. Soul Care for those who aren’t sure
Yeah, but should we even be messing with the self care movement? We will explore Biblical rhythms of care and restoration and how they can apply to our lives.
* GREAT AND SMALL FALL: Seasonal Spiritual Discipline Guide
We were made to respond to the world around us and we were made to worship. So how do we do that without getting too drawn into the world or too rigid in our religious practice? We look to the natural rhythms of the seasons to draw us near to God.
* NOURISHING TABLE: Community and Communion around the Table
In this season we can find ourselves running hard to create big memories. We are going to talk about the true purpose of creating nourishing table and how it can draw us all into deeper communion with Jesus. (No bread baking required!) (Although, homemade bread is delicious!)
BONUS CLASSES:
* DAILY JOURNALING: 5 minutes or less to get your head straight
* SUMMERTIME PARENTING: Because really, this is supposed to be fun.
* HOW TO BUY CLOTHES YOU’LL ACTUALLY WEAR: You don’t need another $20 shirt you’ll wear twice.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brightandbeautifullife.substack.com
