Good morning…
We are on the cusp of a new semester.
Cusp. I love that little word. A point of transition between two different states. On the verge of what comes next. An interval of time just before the onset of something new. Brink. Edge. Threshold.
This week, as we begin a new semester of learning in our Women’s Ministry at Northside Church, we turn toward new books to read, new people to meet, new opportunities to serve. Now, up in the middle of the night, I read from the book we will begin discussing tomorrow in our Sunday afternoon class, Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans.
After having a huge technical meltdown, Rachel’s husband shares the following story in the book’s introduction: “…with a few clicks, we’d done it. Found all eleven thousand words of her next book that minutes ago we thought were gone forever. Just in time, too, because our baby was hungry and our three-year-old was up from his nap.
A month later Rachel got sick and never recovered. She died May 4, 2019. The eleven thousand words we found that day are part of this book you hold in your hand. This manuscript isn’t what Rachel originally envisioned. Our life today isn’t what she envisioned. Being dead at thirty-seven isn’t what she envisioned. But that’s the thing about having vision. It’s not about being right about the future. It’s about constantly learning what’s right and striving for it. And that’s the vision Rachel had. It’s a vision of uplifting people and ideas that benefit the marginalized. It’s a vision that lives on. Her stubborn hope for a better future was all-encompassing. She lived more life in her short time with us than most people twice her age. She prioritized doing well at what’s important, and she discarded her imperfections with the chaff of each day.”
Where there is no vision from God, the people run wild, but those who adhere to God’s instruction know genuine happiness (Proverbs 29:18, VOICE). Might we catch Rachel’s vision, a vision given from God?
- Constantly learn what’s right and strive for it.
- Uplifting people and ideas that benefit the marginalized.
- Adopt a stubborn hope for a better future.
- Prioritize doing well at what’s important.
- Discard imperfections with the chaff of each day.
We are on the cusp of a new semester. On the brink, the edge, a threshold. As we catch a fresh vision for our everyday lives, may we adhere to God’s instruction and know genuine happiness.
…Sue…
P.S. Please check out our Winter/Spring offerings and join us as often as you are able. Register for Women’s Ministry Classes.
