Changes?

I need a new crazy with different people – Anonymous

It's summer. We are seven weeks into the twenty-five week Season after Pentecost. The forecast is calling for temperatures around 100 degrees this Friday.

I was talking with a person recently who was mentioning all of the above, along with an additional general feeling of worn outedness. Motivation was down. Patience was down. They were beginning to feel worn down. They openly wondered if it was time for a change of some kind.

That can happen to all of us at one time or another. Whether we start thinking about a career change, or a different role in the same career, or experience a midlife crisis, or develop a case of wanderlust, or simply think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, we can all fall into the desire of wanting a new crazy with different people.

Sometimes it's not the doldrums, or a midlife crisis, or the need to make a career change. Sometimes, to be healthy, we really do need to make a change. Sometimes a move is needed.

Deacon Sue wrote a little about this earlier this month when she wrote about discernment. In her piece, she asked the question, “Is this my goal or is this God's goal?”

That's a good question to ask; but I would add to that, “With whom are you talking to about this?” Discernment doesn't happen in a vacuum. You need to have someone, or many someones, to bounce your thoughts off of. You need to have someone you trust ask you hard, clarifying questions. You need someone who will tell you, “That's just crazy talk,” or, “You might be right – what would happen if you did make a change?”

The dog days of summer happen, I think, because we have a lot of time on our hands. So whether you think you need a new crazy with different people, or a new crazy with the same people, spend some time with God in prayer as well as time with trusted people who can provide good input in order to help figure out where you might be called to next.

God is calling us to serve in a variety of ways. Just make sure that you are answering God's call and not a simple desire to find a new crazy with different people.

Blessings,

Todd+