January 17 – Midlife Crisis Or God’s Direction?
4:17 – Midlife Crisis Or God’s Direction

#faithbites #faithjourney midlife

Setting

I don’t know about you, but lately, I’ve felt that I need to make a change. I don’t know if it’s a change in profession, attitude, working, or what, but I feel something.

What’s even more interesting, is we are watching a show called The Rookie, where a recently divorced 40 year old man, becomes a rookie for the LAPD. Midlife crisis or God saying time for a change?

Many call this a midlife crisis. The need to make a change in the face of your own mortality to make a difference in the world. I’m not sure if it’s that, COVID, God, or what, but I need something. It’s an odd feeling, so maybe it’s God.

The funny thing is, I don’t even know what to change, how to change it, or even the why to change. Just a feeling that something isn’t quite right.

Have you had this feeling? If so, wh t did you do about it?

Scripture
  • James 1:4 – And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 – 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
Reflection

God’s Word always provides hope and direction. I guess the Ecclesiastes passage sums up a midlife crisis in a nutshell. The feeling of working hard, toiling, and then seeing if all my accomplishments are meaningless.

I want to have a mark on the world. For me, it’s always been about the lives I touch rather than the things I make. Sometimes that’s enough, other times, not. If we are working hard but the product isn’t good or isn’t helping, is it good work? It reminds me of an Episode of WandaVision where Vision asks what the company he works for actually produces.

In James, we see God provide more answers. He asks us to be steadfast, unwavering and that we will lack for nothing. This is what true faith brings us. Contentment and lack of nothing.

The challenge is how do we balance our human understanding of purpose with the plans God has for us. When is that feeling in our gut a message to change into soetmthing else or just to focus more on him.

This is not easy and I don’t have answers. When I ask the question what would I do for fun or what is another career I would do, I nhabe some answers but not enough. Then the questions of salary, benefits, and feeling of worth settle in.

I’ve been talking a lot and want to leave you with some direction. Ask God. He will keep giving you the message until you hear it. It may be a huge leap or a baby steps. Know that God loves you and will help you regardless if this is a midlife crisis or just a chance.

Blessings to all of you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we come to you in a crazy time. Between almost a year of COVID, political upheaval, school changes, worship changes, and everything else, we are seeking meaning. Help all of us to know how to love the best life you want us to live. Give us your peace, your grace, and your love as we navigate your world.

Lord, we know you have plans for us. We listen to you and wait for thise plans to be revealed to us. In your name, Amen.

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