Vision for Life: How do we live a life of purpose?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

—Ephesians 2:10

I am 58 years old and just created my first vision board. Months ago, while introducing vision boards as a project for my students, I clipped images from magazines and slipped them inside an envelope, with the intention of later gluing them to a foam board. It wasn’t until school was closed due to the pandemic that I actually had time to revisit and complete my project.

It's interesting that I would clip the image of lush green land and the
word "healing" without knowing that the onset of the pandemic was just ahead.

Maybe you’re wondering, What is a vision board?

Clear Vision: How will you remember the spring of 2020?

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.

—Proverbs 3:6-8 TLB

Yesterday I heard a radio show host ask, “How will you remember the spring of 2020?”

As I listened to his co-host respond, I thought how I would formulate my own answer. I was struck by the host’s phrasing, how he used the term “spring of 2020,” rather than the “coronavirus pandemic.” I thought about the way many of us use 20/20 to mean clear vision. I wondered how clearly we view the events happening around us. Do we focus on the negative aspects? Or can we see the good things that have come from this pandemic?

As for me, I choose to focus on the good. Don’t get me wrong. I have had some bad days, shed a lot of tears. But I know the difference it can make when I shift my focus to the positive. This is what I want to remember most, and maybe God wants this as well. So if you will oblige me, let me count the good in this season. Perhaps, if you have been down, it will change your outlook too.

                                      

Let Down Your Nets: Trusting in times of financial difficulty

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

—Luke 5:5-6

Have you ever worked so hard that you gave it your all, all your physical and mental strength, yet in the end the results were paltry, if anything? Maybe you didn’t get the raise. Your new business didn’t turn a profit. Or the balance on your debt didn’t go down after a string of payments.

Does God care?

Now that coronavirus has changed our society, you may be out of work or have had to close your business that you worked so hard to establish.

Does God care?

Recently I watched the first season of The Chosen, a new TV series that brings to life the stories of the Bible. One of my favorite scenes, from Episode 4, captures the story of Luke 5 where Jesus used Simon Peter’s boat to stand in while teaching the crowd of people on the shore.  

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink (Luke 5:4-6).

Photo: The Chosen Facebook Page

Down to the River: An unconventional Easter sunrise service

Then the women went away quickly from the tomb, their hearts filled with awe and great joy, and ran to give the news to his disciples.

—Matthew 28:8 PHILLIPS

I arose early on Easter morning and decided to take a walk. As I started out, something stirred in me and I took off running. I am not a runner, so this was odd, but it felt good to run even for a little while, freeing and exhilarating.

My goal was to worship at the water’s edge, but making it to the beach could be a problem. As I had expected, I came upon an obstacle in my path—electrified barbed wire. Normally used to contain cattle in pastures for grazing, it was keeping me from venturing farther. I could see the river in the distance but couldn’t get to my desired sanctuary. I longed to see the sunlight dance like diamonds on the surface, hear the waves lap upon the shore, the rhythm of the river lulling my spirit to a place of peace.

Perhaps I could unhook the three strands that blocked my passage. Carefully, I removed the lower wire and placed it on the ground while it snapped and cracked at me, boasting its powerful punch. Then I attempted to remove the middle strand but found I didn’t have the strength to maneuver the hook out of the wired eye. Now what?