Grounded in God

During times of transition brought about because of change, it is easy to become anxious, tired (mentally, physically, and spiritually), confused, sad, angry… During this time even more so than at any other, we need to seek to remain centered in ourselves and to be anchored in God. And the key to remaining centered in ourselves is being anchored in God. During times of transition, just as with other times of our lives, we need to do all we can to actively rely on God – God’s leading, support, nurture, strength, encouragement, and guidance.

The difficulty is when we find ourselves so occupied with, and possibly even overwhelmed by, all that we have to do that taking care of ourselves seems like a distraction. Tending to our own spiritual health seems to fall to last on the list. Either we are so busy doing that we don’t make the time, or we think everything is fine and we don’t need to make the time. Regardless, when this happens we find that we are so busy relying on ourselves that we neglect to rely on God.

When we live relying on God several things happen in our lives. First, we trust that regardless of what we do or don’t do, noting can separate us from God’s love (Rom 8:39). We find we are able to risk more because of it. Next, we understand that we are never alone. No matter where we are or what we do, God and Christian community are always with us. And, finally, we see our ministry, all that we do, in the context of God’s on-going work of redemption. We see that what we are doing is bigger than the next task on our list. When we take the time to tend to our own spiritual health, we are better able to do the things God calls us to do and serve as God calls us to serve.

So, how do we remain anchored in God? There’s no simple formula, but there are some practices that will help. Here are a few: participate in worship, receive God’s grace and experience God’s love in community; study the Bible for your own personal reflection, listen to where God is addressing you personally; pray, in whatever form or fashion you wish, but pray consistently; take time each week for Sabbath rest, take time to pause and reflect on your life and on God, time to refocus and refresh; find a mentor, not simply a friend but a spiritual guide who will help you process your reactions and responses to what is happening in and around you.

What do you do to remain anchored in God?