Good morning…

Chaos. We hate the word. We hate the experience. We hate her synonyms. Disarray. Jumble. Turmoil. We love her antonyms. Order. Peace. Calm.

Yet one line from one book has stayed with me for twenty five years. “Identity is born out of chaos,” penned Sue Bender in her 1991 book, Plain and Simple. What does Bender mean? “Identity is born out of chaos.”

Tricked by our human nature, we falsely feel we need God less when our lives are in order, neat, peaceful, calm. Yet, when we feel jumbled in disarray, tumbling around in turmoil, we are more likely to beg God for help. Clinging to God as our lifeline, our true identity begins to emerge from our state of utter confusion. As the Creator the universe has done since the beginning of time, God speaks eternal light into our chaotic darkness. The only catch is this: the LORD forms our identity in His divine time, using His holy, healing methods.

I think all of us take God at His word, “I will form. I will fill. I will filter in light.” Unfortunately the LORD does not speak on the light according to our agenda or our time frame. We do not know God’s “how.” We do not know God’s “when.” We only know the “Who” from our where our help comes. As we sit still in chaotic darkness, can we repeat Psalm 121:2 with heartfelt trust? “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Until You clear Your throat and speak Your light, I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you (Psalm 88:13, NIV).

..Sue…