During the summer and fall after I retired I felt at loose ends. As a teacher I had always lived with autumn bringing new students, new curricula, new projects, new dreams and goals. But not this year. My old lifestyle and daily routine of going to work was behind me. Yes, I was thankful for what God had given me in the life I left behind. But now I felt adrift.
Life gave me an ending—two endings. Mom had passed away a few months earlier, and I was still adjusting to living without her. I found great comfort in the hymn, “Be Still My Soul”, especially the part, “In every change He faithful will remain.”
What lay ahead was an uncomfortable unknown. Yet what could I do except carry on with my summer activities, fall gardening, other family and friend contacts, and daily responsibilities.
There had to be something more, but what?
In my feeling of lostness, God graciously led me to a devotional booklet, Minute Motivators for Women, and there on page 37 was a short reading. "Life is like a river,” I read. "The current will start pulling you downstream to new adventures...Ask God to get into the boat and take compete control of your life.”[i]
With this metaphor, the Lord brought a perspective I desperately needed. I imagined myself pushing my canoe off the shore to begin paddling into the unknown. But I was not alone. While I was up front J-stroking, Jesus was my companion, the skillful boatman, steering me into the unknown waters ahead. The Lord had new plans and a special purpose for me and would faithfully point me in that direction.
As I visualized plunging into the river, embarking on the next phase of the river of my life, I needed to trust God’s purpose and presence in every curve of the river, every eddy and swirl, every rock-infested spot, every rushing waterfall, and every storm. At other times as I followed the bends and turns, the river would open up with wide vistas and long views, where the Lord would give me a fresh vision of what lay ahead. There I would receive a renewed revelation and vigor of His purposes for me.
In the months after retirement, the Lord resurrected my dream of writing. Now that my time was free from the daily demands of teaching, I began to write more intentionally—developing my skills and publishing more than I had in the past. Knowing I needed a community of writers, I joined InScribe and later began a local InScribe writers’ group. Life became replete with the Lord's faithfulness in leading me into some of the most productive experiences of my life.
I had landed on a bedrock of writing—my life now found its orientation.
Since then, the Lord has given
me other changes of seasons, other tributaries of the river of life, each
accompanied by His presence and purpose.
~ ~ ~
In a change of seasons, the rhythms of life have been broken, with endings and beginnings. Acknowledge the moments of in-betweenness—the todays of unknowing. Acknowledge that our seasons of life will carry us forward like the river of time: flowing, flowing, flowing. Acknowledge that as we paddle with Jesus, one stroke at a time, we can hear God’s promise: “Behold I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:13 ESV).
Be unafraid to step into your canoe and embrace moving forward as you paddle into the unknown. The hymn, “Be Still My Soul,” will remind you that “In every change He faithful will remain.” When the Lord changes seasons, wait and watch as to how the Lord will open up His plans for you.
“Live now as well as in the
days ahead in the power of Christ.”[ii]
Image by Black Feather
You have written so beautifully about the season of retirement, Sandi. The metaphor of life as a river speaks of the ongoing nature of life and of the ever-changing scenery from the canoe. How wonderful it is that we can have Jesus directing our route. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lorrie. Yes, that image of Jesus guiding my canoe was very meaningful to me.
DeleteI love your post, Sandi, and the metaphor of our lives being like a river that's ever flowing and changing.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite takeaway line today is the same line that spoke to you with such encouragement and comfort: “In every change He faithful will remain.” Hallelujah. Thank you!
Thanks, Brenda, for responding. Yes, we're always navigating change, and every so often we face a major change of seasons.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words, Sandi! I relate to your thoughts on retirement. It's been a few years for me now, but my change from formal work took time. God was gracious to me in this season. Through more time for writing, I also found a new orientation. I don't have a writer group, but I do enjoy being part of InScribe. Blessings to you, Sandi!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan. Yes, adjusting to retirement took time, but the Lord has given us more time for reflection and writing.
DeleteI love the visual of canoeing and allowing the Lord to steer you into the unknown. I need a metaphor to help me visualize where I’m supposed to go too. It seems my canoe has been caught in seaweeds and whirlpools of circles! I’m
ReplyDeleteso glad the Lord provided a new purpose for you. I love your writing. May you continue to be surrendered to His plan, Sandi!
Thanks, Pam. So sorry you've been caught in seaweeds and whrilpools. I'm praying for you, that the Lord would give you clear directions and open up a new vision for you.
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