Today I am anxious, sea sick from the shifting tides, the crashing waves, the ups and the downs, the ins and the outs. There are so many ins and so many outs. So much changes with each passing moment.
In and out… One day you’re living your life; the next you are locked out.
In and out… “The facts” were in but now they are out.
In and out... In it together? Or, were we not?
In and out… Reentering community? Or again floating out?
In and out... One foot back into your world yet one is still out.
In and out... Summer is in but a summer without.
In and out… A moment in peace, followed by moments without.
In and out… One step towards life and then two steps out.
In and out... Feeling trapped in when we want to be out.
In and out... Breath in through the nose and out through the mouth… In through the nose and out through the mouth…
I simply can’t keep up with the ins and the outs… But there must be another way, a better way, to get by than measuring each breath in and counting to exhale out. I must shift my gaze.
I will look up to find true North, anchoring myself to that which never changes, my compass: Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. In Him, I can live and I can breathe and I can be.
Yes, even today, we still have choices. We have the same choice as every other day: Will I be in, all in, with Him? Or, will I be out? I choose to be in. I choose to make Jesus the Lord of my life every, single day, regardless of what else is in and what is out. I give Him the reigns. In His care, I am not hostage to blowing winds and waves. In Him, I have a sound mind to make sound decisions.
And, today, as I seek to root myself in Him, I must decide: What else will I let in, and what will I shut out?
I will choose to be in the Word instead of out.
I will choose to be in prayer instead of without.
I will choose internal peace and keep the news out.
I will choose to walk with grace and love and block hate out.
I will choose to be IN Christ but not to shut the world out… After all, the world NEEDS a savior. The world NEEDS unity. I know the savior, the one who brings unity, peace, love, strength, confidence and soundness of mind. Maybe I can help.
Jesus said, when He is in us and we are in Him, we will experience perfect unity (John 17:23). He is in me lavishly pouring His love in. And, as love comes in, I will work to pour love out.
Sarah Guldalian 