I’ve been thinking about this lately and I think it is biblical: I think God calls us to have a life open to spontaneity. God calls us to keep our eyes open and our minds active, and if we do that we should be continuously making choices that could dramatically change our lives. Every day, hour by hour. There is so much opportunity to show love to people around us but we so often miss it because we have to stick to our schedules or we refuse to see and hear.
So many Christians see planning as a virtue, that safety(financial, physical, spiritual, etc.) is a main goal. Those things aren’t bad, but I know God hasn’t called us to a life of security and comfort. Think of all the examples Jesus displayed and gave in parables that told us to stay on our toes and in the ready, that we don’t know when things are going to happen, that someone might come knocking at our door unexpectedly, that we might come across a beaten man on the street, that we are called to love even on our day off!
The wonderful thing is is that God TOTALLY provides security and comfort, but it is not something we control and plan. It comes when we realize we are helpless (and we are!) and we can relax into His lead. As a dancer, I have such a hard time being led because I am so used to being the leading partner; listening and letting someone else lead is a skill and it takes trust. When the beautifully competent Leader of the universe wants to keep us from tripping over or own feet, I want to let Him! I want to see the woman crying at the bus stop and hear the sigh of the coworker alone in the break room. I want to open my senses and take it in, let it soften my heart and open my schedules.
Some are more apt to this than others, for sure, but that’s no excuse. I think we need to keep striving for complete dependence on God and simply be available for the opportunity He stacks into our hands. Like Isaiah, “Here I am!”
Hear, hear! I’m also currently working on this issue within myself, as you can see by my recent blog entry “In God We Trust.”
I would like to compile a list of all the passages in the Bible (even only in the New Testament, for brevity!) in which Jesus asks or expects those around him to show flexibility and follow rather than sticking to the plan. That would be very educational.
It gets muddier for me when I add a wife and child to the mix. I have responsibilities to them that I can’t and shouldn’t get out of by being “spontaneous.” I can’t be a good husband or a good dad by stopping everything I’m doing for whatever comes up. I have to do well at my job because I have to feed them. I have to be home most evenings because I need to spend time with them. I suppose this is one reason why Paul calls us all not to get married. 😉
Still, marriage and kids don’t stop us from serving. They just change the way we approach it and require a little more coordination and understanding. Maybe a little more maturity, too. I don’t know.
RE: JL!’s comment, for me having kids is all about this type of spontaneity, I am constantly interrupted in what I want to do and need to stop, switch gears and do what THEY NEED me to do. Everything from changing diapers to breaking up arguments to reading a story to someone. The opportunity arises and I have to take it when it presents itself. It’s a different type of spontaneity but it requires (for me personally) a lot more self control and even (on the difficult days) death to self. I totally agree with you Eddie, I am just seeing it through my “mothering lenses.” : )
Totally, Emily! That’s such a great example. I wish I would have though of listing that as one of the opportunities. Every parent should count that cost before having kids! Wow.
Anyway, yeah, Josh, I completely hear you about having the responsibility of a family. It does become tougher, which is a strong argument to marry someone who understands that calling from Christ. It does change, though, doesn’t it? Maybe instead of taking the angry guy at work out for a beer you have him over for supper. I don’t know. Mostly, we just need to keep our eyes open and not ignore that small voice.
One thing I loved about Elwood P. Dowd in “Harvey” was that he was always inviting people over for dinner, he always stopped to have a conversation with the people who crossed his path. What an image of Christ, I think!
I have learned very well in the past few years that plans can easily be changed! I now take each day, by first thanking our wonderful Father and then venturing off. I have “plans’ of where I need to be for my job, but I am doing a much better job of being open to what happens when I get there.
Being in the moment and keeping my heart readily available has made my life so much better and increased my ability to be there for others.
Mom, you rock!
Yes she does!!!