Happy New Year MuSinGers,

The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity and a rollercoaster of emotions for me, as much as for many other people at this time of year.

Who are we?

What are we doing or not doing? 

Are we taking time to just be?

Where are we going?

Bushfires burning here, floods there, sometimes it feels like the earth is groaning with the weight of the God who is crying out for our attention – metaphors for the inner world and the Holy Spirit who is ever-prompting us to be attentive to His call.  So many people are hurt, and yet I know of many people who are using the opportunity of this new decade to make some major changes.

Myself included.

I have had plenty of time think about life over the last twelve months, and the more I discover, journal, pray, and write, the more I see that the only answer is to pull back more, reassess, think, surrender to God, and just be still. 

Contrary to the desire for constant action and motion, sometimes we just have to give up to find ourselves.  It is very slow, but I have to let God get through to me and find the light in what has been a thick fog of darkness.  This takes time and space.

These quieter months have given me more time to pray, read deeply meaningful books and articles, form new relationships, and interact with souls far more touched by God than mine.  This has been an amazing experience for me, but it has also been a shock.  I see that I am lacking in so many ways.  I realise how far short I fall, and what a long way I have to go in finding authentic happiness and my own place in the world.  I need to be my own best friend.

Writing for this blog has made me very grateful.  What a blessing it has been!  A creative outlet which I will keep alive, however due to planned studies and potentially other new beginnings, my posts may fluctuate – perhaps more, perhaps less – who knows?  I love that I can touch other people’s lives through the power of words, and hopefully over the last twelve months my blog has made even a tiny difference, or helped someone in the world.

In many ways the uncertainty has been very unsettling, and in other ways it has been so liberating.  Leaving behind a career that felt stifling, walking away from bullying, battling the tensions of what other people think, and trying to stay calm enough to hear oneself think – all of this can be tough.  Taking risks and making new decisions takes courage.

So what do you hope for this year, MuSinGers?  Is it a major change that you are facing, a self-imposed decision that you are now doubting, the loss of a relationship, the beginning of a new adventure or the feeling of ‘more of the same’?  Is there something burning within you that you are wanting to fulfil but you just do not know what that is yet?

Whatever it is, do not forget that we have a God who sees all and is right by our side.  We may not feel Him – in fact we often do not – but we must believe that we are not alone.  Pray more.  Take time to be silent.  Go for walks in nature.  Read more.  Hang on through the difficult days and keep in touch with others.  This new year has already been a difficult one for so many people so far – now is not the time to give up hope.

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