#37 Change of scenery. Thoughts from the Back Deck...

Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

I had a difficult ministry decision confront me this week. It happens. Never fun. I have made decisions that I later regretted.  Things I decided to do. Things I decided not to do. 

It's never a fun time when you are looking back and wishing for a "do-over".

"I should have responded by saying..."

"I wish I decided to not do..."

"I did not give enough grace too..."

"I gave too much time too..."

"I should have kept my pie-hole shut!"

You pray. You look into the Word of God. You speak to others. You seek God's direction. You wish you had the wisdom of the Lord. I have two places I go that help me get perspective when my mind rolls over and over with the desire for "do-overs": 
The woods.
The water.

Although I enjoy hunting and fishing, these opportunities are most often for me:
1. Change of scenery
2. Mental reset. 

Why a change of scenery might help us...
Our homes are a place where everything is familiar. We know where the dust bunnies seem to flourish. We know which chair is the most comfortable and which one has bad springs. We look around and see what needs to be done and can busy ourselves with work or thinking about what we should be doing. Honestly,  this is why "stay-cations" have never worked for me. A change of scenery be it a ride in the car, a vacation, an afternoon walk, a trip to the park...
Helps me to STOP. As I look at different things around me, I think of different things. 

That leads to the second part, the "mental reset". Sometimes our minds are so engrossed in solving a problem or rehearsing the do-overs of life that it drowns out the voice of Jesus. That stepping out to change what we see, what we hear, what we do, gives us a chance to clear our minds. My encouragement is to seek that change of scenery helps you and gives your mind the helpful reset it needs amid the busy world we live in. You don't need permission to do so. Think of all the times in scripture when God led or Jesus went to model this. Boats. Caves. Mountains. Desert. Temple. Valley. Stream. Breakfast on the beach. Walk to Emmaus. An upper room... to name a few!

And remember: As the waters cover the sea, Jesus covers you and me with His love and grace. He covers our missteps, fumbles, and errors. Stop reliving them. Learn from them and move on. 

Peace out,
Andy

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