Confession... this first post in the 2020 Reset will be longer than the others.
Another confession... we're going to talk about faith. Can you handle it without abandoning ship?
A third confession... I've stared at that subject line for two days.
It's not that I can't think of 10 things. It's that I don't know which 10 things "should" be on that list. Like, should a list like that be big and epic?
For example, I live in Minnesota. I didn't used to live in Minnesota. I never thought I'd live in Minnesota. Some days it's colder here than Alaska (you have no idea how much I wish I was making that up.)
Yet here I am. I live in Minnesota. And I don't regret it.
So... should this be on the list? Is it big and epic enough?
Ever feel that way? Like how everything "should" be big and epic?
Ever also feel like the word "should" bullies the way you think/live/act?
As context, Katie (my wife) and I were recently talking about where we're at in life. While there are many things each of us might change about "this" or "that," some things are just preferences while other things grind more. It's the difference between "could" and "should."
(P.S. It's easy to confuse the two... and make short-sighted opinionated decisions that have long-term factual effects.)
One big takeaway for Katie and I was that despite every "could" or "should," we've been blessed with an amazing life. After years of marriage, and many ups and downs that strained every fiber of who we are, we still enjoy each other. Our kids for some strange reason love us and spending time with us.
But none of that is because of a self-help trick or willpower. It's from little steps that add up over time, mixed in with the grace and wisdom of God.
Yes, if it's okay with you, I'm starting there. What I'm about to tell you is 100%, absolutely true...
God is real. You are created on purpose with purpose. And if you are open to having a relationship with Him, He's made it possible for you to do that. It's why we just celebrated Christmas. Jesus Christ is God coming near, not just in history but into your life. I'm not going to arm wrestle you on it if you disagree. Nor am I going to change what you just read.
Because all the opinions in the world about who God is won't create Truth. But one Truth about who God is can change every opinion in the world.
Sorry if that's too candid. Meanwhile, what if your spiritual health wasn't about your experience with religion thus far, but about the possibilities of something deeper that intersects with every "could" and "should" you've ever fetl?
For example, going back to me living in Minnesota, the question isn't if that "should" make the list. The question is why don't I regret moving to Minnesota?
That second question may be more important than the first. Specifically, because many of us live out of our gut and sass versus our soul. We might be tempted to put something on our list because we want to justify how we live. What if instead we asked WHY we live?
And so I think my list of 10 things could start like this...
1. I don't regret praying with my wife (and family) every night.
Katie and I started this habit when we were dating. To be honest, I thought it would run dry over time and become mechanical. What I've found instead is even when I've done it more of habit than desire I've kept myself pointed in the direction of God who personally loves me beyond the funk of the moment.
That's my "why" - because life is full of funks, but it can also be full of God.
We've made praying together each night a habit with our kids, too. Maybe the thought of talking about God in your home petrifies you. (It doesn't have to).
What if instead of faking our way through the day, we considered the example of others who opened up about their need for something greater? I'd point you to the Psalms in the Bible... they're filled with people who prayed out loud so their journey (on great days and hard days) could inspire others.
I'll keep sharing more in the coming days. We'll hit on other aspects of health. Meanwhile, here's a 2020 Reset challenge.
- If you were creating your "10 Things I Don't Regret From The Past 10 Years" list, what would be at least one thing on it?
- And (more importantly) why would that be on your list?
"God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all He has done, and He puts questions in our minds about the past and the future." (Ecclesiastes 3:11, CEV)
We'll talk more tomorrow. For now, Happy New Year. :)
I dare you to start your list, even with one item, and see what gets stirred up inside of you... and WHY it's stirring in the first place.
