THE RETURN OF THE SNOW-GLOBE.

I know it’s late, but as they say here in the U.K., ‘Happy Christmas!’ I hope you all were able to spend the last week in incredible ways, rediscovering the wonder of this season. I’m probably now writing these posts to no one, seeing as I’ve lost all regular readers due to a near month of silence. But, I’ll continue on anyways. Wireless internet is to fill this house within the next two weeks, so that should solve the problem.

Early yesterday morning, the family flew out of Heathrow airport. That put an end to an amazing 2 ½ week time spent together. Never before have I valued them so much, as we were able to travel on adventures together and just be together to encourage and challenge one another. From England to Scotland…from bustling London to laid-back Bonsall…from Windsor castle to Edinburgh castle…it was definitely a Christmas to remember.

It’s hard to know what to post on here, as the last month has held so much. To give you a summary, this is an update on Transit: Previously, I had stated that I had the realization that I was a snow-globe. It’s probably an over-the-top cheesy analysis, but this will have to do. Now, instead of gently flipping that snow-globe around to see things differently, the glass has seemed to have broken. The water has spilled out. The snowflakes are scattered across the floor. Somehow, it all needs to be put back together.

In a nutshell, here’s how it all happened. Our week in Ireland a month ago was extremely good yet extremely frustrating. Upon arrival back home, I let our team know that we were heading way off track. Frustration after frustration came out. But, it all came back to one word…prayer. We’re part of a prayer movement and we aren’t praying. We’ve spent this first term that was supposed to be about knowing Christ and have flipped it around so that it’s been about loving others. It’s a problem that rings true in so many churches. We think we can live out our lives, make our plans, and then soak them in prayer. We go from day to day, from ministry to ministry in this way. But, what would happen if we started on our knees? What would happen if our service were a result of our prayers? How much more effective would we be? More importantly, how much more would we know God our Father?

I’ll admit that I don’t know how to do this. I honestly don’t believe I understand the importance of prayer. And, for that reason, I sit with a broken snow-globe scattered across the floor, not knowing how to fit it back together. There will be long intense months to come. Because of this, I could have easily jumped on that plane with my family and headed away from this place. But, that would be a reaction to my desire (and I think each of our desires) for a more comfortable place. Run away from those longings. They have their time and place, but I believe we must be looking to jump into the thick of things for that is where transformation occurs. I’m confident that these next months will be ‘good.’ Maybe not in the normal sense of the word. Maybe not easy or fun or enjoyable. But they will be good. I press on to see how God will take our mess…our ashes…and give us beauty in return.

I hope each of you step into this New Year with excitement for what lies ahead. May it be a time of setting up an altar in celebration and remembrance of all God has done over this past year. And may it be a benchmark as you strive to journey after God’s heart in an even more intimate way. May He receive the glory…