Last week's post on sorting, purging and creating new calendars prompted a conversation with my good friend, Bernie. He has a lot of experience at packing and unpacking having made dozens of major moves. I took advantage of his wisdom and asked how he made his decisions each time life handed him an opportunity for a clean slate.
My instinct was to consider each item and and decide what to do with it. But here’s what I learned instead: it’s important to assess myself first. What is my identity – who am I now?
My primary identity is a child of God. But what does that look like in this season of life? I have to take into account my age, physical abilities and my current goals and mission. With that in mind, I can begin to decide what stays on the shelves of my life.
I enjoy entertaining and want my home to be a place for gathering family and friends, a place of fellowship. My casual style doesn’t require keeping a lot of formal kitchenware any more. While I still love the beach, my surfboard hasn’t been out of the garage in years. How likely is it I will use it again? And of my many books - some are useful and some have great meaning to me. I enjoy them so most of my library is staying put.
Some of my habits are stuck in who I was – I have to reassess with who I am now and who I want to be. There needs be time for healthy eating and regular fitness. These now require a place on my schedule instead of just assuming they are going to happen within the course of a day.
It’s important to continue studying and learning about God. I need to make more space for just being with Him - talking, listening, asking, praising and sitting quietly. Keeping scheduled time cultivates treasured habits and relationship.
I am not in career building season anymore and have no desire to climb further up a ladder. While it’s great to have mentors (we all need them), I need to be investing in others at this point. The hope of a traditional family is past, but my extended family is a big priority - as well as my friends who are also my family. Who are my disciples? Where is my rabbi – someone who has already navigated the next season well? Where is God leading me to serve? I’m not sure where I’m landing on some of these questions, but I want to take the time to ask.
My mission to glorify God and serve Him is unchanged but what it looks like changes over time. I’ve been given a fresh opportunity. Taking time to listen to Him and to assess my identity – who I am now – is a great investment before beginning to fill either the shelves or the schedule.
What is going back on your shelves?
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
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