Our son Scott adores his nephew Christian. He has invented all sorts of games to play with him. Usually the involve rough housing and lots of squeals. One of Christian’s favorites when he was learning to walk was called “Wait for it!” Christian would stand in front of Scott, Scott would wrap his hands under Christian’s arms and begin to chant, “Do you feel it? Do you feel it?” Once Christian was attentive, Scott would continue with, “Wait for it! Wait for it!” Then, at unpredictable intervals Scott would lift Christian off the floor, and gently swing him back and forth (gently so as to NOT create a “shaken baby” situation). Christian loved this game! The longer he waited, the more eager he was for the swinging, the more pliable he became, growing limp, letting the weight of his body rest in his Uncle’s firm grasp, trying to lift his feet off the floor in anticipation of the fun. Christian in full “Wait for it!” mode is a kid who knows how to surrender to the shake up. This is my prayer for all of us. Surrender to the shake up! We are too easily lulled into ruts, habit and complacency. If we have things we desire to change about our lives something will have to actually happen to accomplish it!! Christian didn’t realize it yet but real life earthquakes are quite frightening, as is change. But just because something is difficult and scary doesn’t mean we should avoid it.
So today, let’s pray for one another. Here’s one version of the Lord’s Prayer I like:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
This is from Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” version. Sometimes I use this instead of my NIV or CEB translations that I have used for years. It just helps to shake things up, even our spiritual disciplines!
What shaking and stirring up might your life need? What is one step you could take to pop out of the rut of complacency?