So much of 2020 has felt like a waiting period. Waiting for coronavirus news. Waiting for restrictions to end. Waiting for the election. Waiting for a COVID vaccine. It’s been hard to feel any sense of progress. I was reminded of a post I wrote in June of 2019 about how to grow in such seasons. I hope you find it helpful on your journey toward Becoming Yourself.
I feel like I’m stuck in a waiting period. An “in-between” time. On the writing front, my first novel is out for submission to editors. I’ve turned in the rough draft of my second book to my agent, along with a concept pitch for my third to get his feedback. On the music side, I’m a few weeks away from my next worship leading gig, and the music isn’t posted yet so there’s nothing to work on. The place where I volunteer serving lunch to people struggling with homelessness recently had a fire which temporarily reduced both their seating capacity and their need for volunteers. So many of the areas where I invest my time and energy are on pause.
I feel a little lost. I like to be moving forward, growing, progressing. With a number of my normal productive outlets on hold, I’m struggling to find my footing. I find solace in knowing that all development cycles follow this pattern. Seasons of intense growth are followed by periods of apparent dormancy. The vibrancy of spring and summer yields to the mellowness of autumn and then to the silence of winter. It’s the rhythm of creation.
So my challenge is not to fight this season but to embrace it. To learn what this time period has to teach me: Patience. Introspection. Trust. Perspective. To allow myself to listen. To heed the call to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
I’m coming to understand that this too can be a period of growth, but the progress will be more subtle, hidden below the surface. It’s a chance to look inside myself. To do a status check on how I’m really doing to a degree that I wouldn’t normally have the time, energy, or motivation to attempt.
In addition to being attentive to those deeper growth opportunities, I’m also trying to use this time to do those projects that usually get pushed aside. You know the type I’m talking about: Filing. Organizing. Deep cleaning. Future planning. Annual reviews. Over the last few days, I’ve updated the paperwork on all of our financial and insurance accounts in our estate folder, making sure that things are in order should I, or both Lisa and I, unexpectedly pass away. Not glamorous or enjoyable but important. It’s the kind of task I’ll be glad is off my mind when my more creative pursuits resume.
So how about you? Are you in a season of waiting? Are you feeling stuck “in-between”? What ways can you find to grow during this season? What are some tasks you can tackle now that you’ll be so glad you accomplished when “spring” comes back around? Take this opportunity to look inside and do some deeper interior work. Reflect. Journal. Read. Pray. Seek wise council from a trusted friend or a professional to help you work through whatever issues arise. Knock a few tasks off of your much procrastinated to-do list. If you do, you’ll not only feel better – you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.
I so feel this way many times lately. Trying to embrace the solace in it all. Knowing how far God has brought me, where I am at and more importantly where he is taking me. To enjoy the moment and not push to want something that is not in his plan. Taking each day and enjoying this moment, for this moment is my Life.
Love your blog! Excited to hear where you will be worshiping next!
Thanks so much for sharing that, Jennifer! I so appreciate your honesty in recognizing the struggle and so respect your decision to choose hope, trust God, and enjoy the moment as best you can. Thanks for reading and for the encouragement! It really does mean a lot.