making it up as you go

Data about our home planet tells us that the earth's surface curves at about eight inches per mile.

Ergo, IF: 

a) your eyesight is top-notch, 

b) it's a clear sky

c) and your view is about five feet off the ground, 

 

you would -- AT MOST -- be able to see about three miles away.

Which is not that far at all.  

 

We can see only so far ahead.

 

This is true, not just in distance, but in life. We can only be prepared ... so far in advance. We can only be usefully anxious ... up to a certain point. Past that, we have to trust God that he'll equip our future self to creatively work with whatever will be before us.

There's this scene from the first Indiana Jones film that shows this ethos.

Indy's on a mission to stop the stealing of a historical artifact (yes, I know there's way way waaay more to the film ... I'm trying to not spoil it ... work with me here). 

 

When all appears lost, the following conversation ensues between Indy and his companions:

 

Indiana Jones: "Get back to Cairo quick and get us transportation to England -- a plane, a ship, anything. I'll meet you at Omar's. Be ready for me. I'm going to get that truck."

Sallah: "How?"

Indy:

This plan contains sufficient detail only up to a certain point. And then: "I have no idea, but future me will think of something." This is a life posture that I'd love to more naturally adopt.

Jesus sometimes teaches this way. He says, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34). Such a non-sentimental posture.

 

The first bit would look glorious on a motivational poster, amiright?

But if that poster shared why Jesus says to not be anxious, it pierces that pithy vibe straight through.

Like a skunk set loose in a boutique candle shop, it trades pithiness about anxiety for something more grounded.

Jesus is pragmatic: don't be anxious about tomorrow.

Why? because today has enough to occupy our anxieties.

This sounds like advice from someone who actually knows how anxiety can -- in a matter of seconds -- hijack a day, a meal, a moment, a mood, a conversation, or a night.

… that feeling of trying to will your heartbeat to settle down (and it beats ever faster)
… that feeling of trying to corral your thoughts from cycloning into a a mess (again)
… that feeling of trying to steady your breathing in the middle of the night (when worry pries open your eyelids)
…. that feeling of trying to not send another text or message, when all you want is to hear back

In those moments, someone telling you to ‘just stop being anxious’ or ‘just stop worrying’ does no good. But someone helping you redirect the anxiety to a sensible time frame … this shows compassion. Understanding. Grace. Attainability. This helps.

This is why, when someone offers us sips of this sort of hope, our fears seem a little smaller, and a bit less inflamed. It reminds us that future anxieties don't have to belong to us just yet.

So, is some situation causing you anxiety?
-Probably.

 

Is it a today thing or a tomorrow (or someday after) thing?

-Your answer determines how much weight to give it today.
 

Ergo: is all lost?
-Hardly. You’ll be amazed at what--when you ask God for help and wisdom--future you will work through. So pray about it. Give it some thought, then take a break from thinking about it. Talk to wise people you trust. Pray some more.

After all, we’re sorta making it up as we go, aren’t we? 

 

Prioritize today's anxieties over future ones.

tyranny of the new

Some new stuff I like, some new stuff I don't like. 

That's true for for most people. New doesn't always mean better, but it does almost always mean different.

New music from your favorite artist? Like.

New food allergy? Don't like.

New, free shirt? We like.

New, free haircut? We might not like.

New life path? We might like.

New anxieties that come with new life path? We might not like.

New razor for shaving? We like.

New skin scrapes because we got used to our dull razor? We don't like.

 

Starting college? We like.

Figuring out new routine, starting new friendships, battling loneliness? We don't like.

No one says their first year of high school is the best. No one says the first weeks at a new job are the best. No couple says their first year of marriage is the best. No one says the first days of adopting a new pet are the best. No one says the first few days of a new workout are the best days. 

 

Quite the opposite. 

The social inertia of keeping up appearances wants you (and I) to pretend that 'new' is only awesome.

But let's be real:

'NEW' can feel wearying. 

 

'NEW' often includes feeling achingly lonely. 'NEW' will leave us feeling behind the curve a lot of times. 

 

'NEW' will interfere with a decent night's sleep. 'NEW' will cause us to doubt we belong. 'NEW' will make us miss what's familiar. 'NEW' could cause a panic attack or two.

 

'NEW' will feel constricting at times. 'NEW' will tempt us to compare what we feel inside to how others appear on their outsides. 

So, let's remember this: we do like (some) new, but we always like new stuff more once we're more used to it.

 

If you're in a new season, know that it takes time. So give it time.

About Kindred Fuel

These are some of my writings, sketches, impressions, stories. My intended audience are those in the throes of navigating life's transition times of becoming an adult.

Please feel welcome to meander with me as life continually moves forward. I'm married, with a family. I've worked as a reporter, outdoor landscaper, restaurant manager, health care worker, and minister. Life is and has been varied. Even though I'm terrible at it, I am a Jesus follower.

We learn the best life lessons from the times we really screwed stuff up, so I share some of mine to help you out. I love to share a good laugh. I keep forgetting my Enneagram number.

My hope would be that you'd come away from reading this with some resolve and hope as you grind away at everyday living. Plan thus far is to publish regularly, maybe bi-weekly.

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