The 1159: A True 1159

11:59 Ramblings

It’s literally 11:59 when I’m sending this… because despite incredible wisdom from writers and public figures, I still am not writing these in advance. And some Tuesdays, my day gets away from me. So bear with me as I figure this out LOL

This past week has been a blur. I can’t even tell you how many things have changed on a daily basis that has left me sitting back in my black office chair just going “so… so what IS happening?”

I’ve realized how much I EXPECT life to be consistent.

I have ___ job. I have ___ clients. I wake up at ____. I eat ___ meals each day. Etc.

I don’t know if it’s a culture thing (I think it is) or just me, but this whole single career “PATH,” ‘certain age do this’, ‘certain age do that’ mentality I keep catching myself in just doesn’t seem healthy.

I’m getting blunt. (I might have had 4 shots of espresso today, but remember, it’s almost 11:59 PM right now).

Life is NOT predictable.

Life is NOT fair.

Life is NOT even repeatable.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have a great life and I’m thankful … like really thankful. But that hasn’t seemed to negate the fact that I’ve been caught off guard and surprised by life’s uncertainty.

So what’s the solution to living this unpredictable life, yet living fulfilled and with purpose?

You could say “Jesus” and you’re totally right… cliche, but right ;)

But tonight I’m considering vision a lot, and the one thing I often wonder (maybe you’re with me in this) is “what is God’s will for my life?”

Because certainly, it wouldn’t matter the season. It wouldn’t matter the unknowns. It wouldn’t matter the pace of life. It wouldn’t matter where I live, who I marry, where I work, or even what year it is.

God’s will for my life would still be His will for my life. And that is what I desperately want.

So what is it?

Shocker; it’s not what I thought.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says this:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

So, and correct me if I’m wrong (I realize the hour haha), but the will of God isn’t a LIFE ACHIEVEMENT, as much as it is a LIFE OF OBEDIENT ACTION.

In other words, it doesn’t matter where you are in life, the will of God is that you rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.

…

That last one is just as important as the rest, but hitting a little closer to home tonight.

A man of God who I look up to (Steve Altmeyer, Chosen to Lead Ministries) replied the other week with “thankful” when I asked him how he was doing.

Seeing I was caught off guard from the unique answer (compared to “good” or “doing well”) he said, “too many of us are living outside the will of God, David. We’re not thankful. The will of God is clear; be thankful in ALL circumstances. So I choose to be thankful today, because I have so much to be thankful for”.

I’m not sure if you had a crazy blur-of-a-week like I did, or maybe it was the longest one in a while filled with either aches and pain or dull unknowns.

Either way, we’re called to be thankful. So let’s choose thankfulness each day this next week, even if it’s a little crazy around us.

We have so much to be thankful for. And God really is so GOOD.

Have an incredible week!

-DC