Further reflections from this week

~ Reflection #1 ~

Walking out and about midday on Wednesday, after my morning shift at work, I found myself wanting to thank God, just because. The day before, I listened to Pastor Bill's final sermon at the Vineyard, and sketched out the blog post that I published Wednesday about recent convictions that I felt from Him.

The bottom line reflection from this week is that while Tuesday I got in touch finally with how far I've drifted from Jesus, and especially from connecting through His word, I also realized that all this time He was only one step away. All I had to do was take one step back towards Him, and all would be well. That is a new discovery for me. I've heard about this for years, this very concept, but never connected experientially with it until this week. (Knowing myself, it'll take a few more times of re-discovering this before it pierces my heart. Right now, it's a full-blown awareness but merely contained within my mind.)

~ Reflection #2 ~

While on my walk Wednesday, I walked by the bush/plant on Isabella Street, which serves as the border between Evanston and Wilmette. (See photos above.) It continues to grow taller, and looks quite different from when first I saw it two years ago. (See photos below.)

At that time it was one of the many metaphors that I believe God was trying not only to communicate to me, but get through my thick skull, to take a risk that He wanted me to take, that I wanted to take, and that the intended recipient of the risk also wanted me to take, but I was too scared to do. Two years ago, when the plant was shorter, it looked like it was a lot more "in the way" along the sidewalk, which fits a lot more for message regarding taking the risk. Now that it is taller, it looks a lot less "in the way" than it once did, and consequently, it looks a lot less like a picture of that risk. In a way, now, it looks more representative of the fact that, as time goes on, it becomes more and more apparent that the boat has sailed and will never return.

~ Reflection #3 ~

Also on my walk, I saw a hammock tied to a branch about 40 or so feet in the air. I saw the amount of work that it took to put that hammock up. I also got a picture of relaxation, and a sense that this is a common sight in a place like Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where so many Chicagoans have a second home. The reflection that hit me: do not ever buy a second home. You don't need it. The only exception that could come into play, is if I get a clear sense of purpose and direction to use said "second home" as a function for retreats or other gatherings. In other words, to use the second home to serve others. Then I might consider it.

~ Reflection #4 ~

I've been looking for work and thinking quite a bit about the next phase of my career. For my next job, and possibly next career, I am willing to do the 9-to-5 job. What I ask is that, first, there is no (or minimal) workplace drama, and second, a sense of purpose and feeling that I am regularly making a difference at that workplace. I did get a small sense of that when I first started working with one of my current jobs, but I haven't felt that there for a long time, nor in any of my other jobs. But what's clear and fresh is this emerging desire to make a difference at work. I do believe that it would motivate me to want to pour myself more into the job, rather than use the job solely for the money and for my benefit. This is a shift in how I've long thought about work, which I find I like.