We cannot love well from our weakest arenas.
Depression, disease, an inordinate amount of clutter, financial disarray, grudge-holding--just to name a few--are areas where we become weakened into a virtual paralysis. It is much harder to give and receive love when we are hostage in body, mind or circumstance.
A favorite story reminds me of God's command to Joshua early in yesterday's passage, Joshua 1:1-9:
Get going.A mom steeped in depression would remain in bed and in pajamas as her school-age children went through their day. Imagine the heartbreak of her kids as they came home from school, hoping against hope their mom would be bright-eyed, dressed, and eager to see them.
Every day they were disappointed.
Finally the mom cried out to God in desperation, "Tell me what to do!"
Wash the dishes."What? Surely you have something more profound than that, God."
Wash the dishes.She did. Somehow, amazingly, that led her to the next job and the next. Before she knew it, the house was picked up and she was dressed and eager to see her children as they bounded in from school. Imagine their delight.
God knows the exact avenue through which our seeming paralysis can be broken. He will give us a way, a job, a thought, a to-do that will move us to the next step.
God told Joshua to get going.
We, too, have a faith journey to make and a land to conquer. Consult Joshua's Mapmaker.
Let's get going.
