The Storm Before the Calm

The phrase, “The storm before the calm,” usually goes the other way and is known as, "The calm before the storm.” I think for most of my life, however, it has been the latter. But, working at a church, the phrase being flipped feels very fitting in this period before Lent. With the start of the year now under our belts, that means falling into your normal routines and rhythms of life. However, I (and I have a hunch I am not alone) am spending a lot of time playing catch up. There is almost no time to spend enjoying the new year and trying to follow my new years resolution. The hustle and bustle of life gets to us so quickly. We become consumed so fast by work and life, that we push our resolutions to the side and fall back into our old habits. There is a hope on the horizon—yes, it is Jesus—and we can experience that hope simply by slowing down.

During Lent, we are called to take a look at what we can take off our plate and put onto our Lord’s plate, a plate that is never too full. I constantly look forward to this time when we are encouraged to slow down with one another and with the Lord, especially because we're all in it together. Doing this together with the whole church gives me strength and courage. When I see everyone slowing down and handing things over to God I am reminded that I am not supposed to be doing everything on my own.

I love this job and I love all the students and parents, but I am not the only one at work. If I am not leaving room for God to be at work, and asking God to take over things, then I am failing at my job.

That is where I find myself during the new year, trying to do everything and leaving God out of my work. Lent reminds me to do the opposite. The season of Lent reminds me to intentionally invite God into my work and my life. Not only does it slow me down and leave me more relaxed, but I also get to see how much better my work is when I invite God into it. When I take the time to invite God and listen to what God is saying, my work becomes filled with the Holy Spirit and the results are better than I could ever do on my own.

Let's get ahead of the storm, and begin practicing some aspects of Lent now. We don't have to take on the storm by ourselves.