Force of Nature

August always brings back memories of Hurricane Katrina. For as much destruction it brought, it brought opportunity as well. Many people were able to better themselves. Many people were able to create the kind of life they always wanted. Sometimes, it takes a force of nature to force people to change. Maybe that's what is happening right now. Maybe we aren't supposed to go back to business as usual. Maybe things are supposed to be different. Maybe we are supposed to be different. Maybe just maybe, we are being forced to change our nature.

Crisis

noun

1. a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.

By definition, we are in crisis. Our families, our careers, our health, our existence are all in crisis. I’m sure that we will all have some level of ptsd when this is all over. Things that used to seem normal will take some getting used to again. We will definitely have an adjustment period. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be resolved individually. It’s going to take a collective effort to ensure our recovery from this pandemic. We will have to rethink our health and education systems. We will have to rethink most in person interactions. What is deemed necessary? Despite the headlines, despite the panic, despite the fear, trouble don’t last always. This crisis is only for a season. This too shall pass. Eventually, the pressure will subside. The cases will lower. The risk will be less. We will survive. And hopefully, we will learn the lessons from this crisis and avert the next. Fingers crossed and prayers up. We are in this together.

Impatient

I can admit it. I’m over it. I’m ready for this to be over. I don’t want to wear a mask everywhere. I was a germaphobe before and now it's gotten worse. I want my vacation back. I want to travel. I want my life back the way it was before Covid-19. I want my kids to go to school in the fall. I don’t want to be stuck in the house forever. We've all said it. We've all thought it, but this is bigger than us. We don’t see the big picture. We don’t understand what’s happening. The numbers are wrong. The sources are skewed. We are growing impatient and it's showing. Our lack of humanity is on display. Our selfishness is sneaking out. We can’t hide behind the disguise. We want out and unfortunately many of us will suffer because of our lack of patience. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun, and to everything there is a season. This just happens to be an uncomfortable one.

Shift

Change doesn’t come easy. It requires us to do things differently, and think differently. It messes up our routine. It takes a little while to get used to before it becomes our “new normal.” Interesting enough, change is always happening. The Earth shifts. The wind blows. The seasons change. Its continual. Yet we act like change is sudden. There are often signs of a shift, but we ignore them. Get ready. Transition is God's way of helping us get ready for the shift that is coming.

Promotion

May is graduation season. Students are preparing for final examinations. Teachers are counting down until Summer Break. The end of the school year is coming to a close. Employers are doing performance reviews. Transition is upon us. Promotion does not come without its difficulties. It does not come without its own set of challenges. We simply do not grow in our comfort zone. We do not produce without pressure, yet we all want promotion. We want the benefits, but not the process. Have you passed your final examination? Have you overcome your challenges? Have you earned a promotion?

Change

Change is all around us. The weather changes. The seasons change. Time changes. People change. Life happens all around us, yet many of us struggle with change. Change is a constant. Embrace it. Do something new. Cut your hair. Try that new restaurant. Take the scenic route to work. Change is good for the soul. Sometimes, change is the very thing we need.