One of the ways that God grows us is to put us in places that we perceive may slow us down. In God’s economy, being sovereignly placed in environments that challenge us, perturb, and even frustrate us, can have the power to lead us into a greater maturity, depth, and formation.
I was in a cult church for 20 of my 36 years as a Christian so it took years of uprooting and I'm still rooting out things that were imbeded there. So, often I am learning from much younger Christians. It is hard sometimes to think of all the years I wasted and a time of deconstructionism, but God knows. I've learned that he is very patient with us. More patient than we ourselves often are. This was a great post, which I'll be reading again to allow to soak in.
I’m 64 and the last several years, I’ve been learning and growing from listening to all you younger voices. Looking at you, you 40ish midlife. 😉
I have found it so refreshing and exciting to see the new generations of academics, biblical scholars, teachers sharing so much I never have heard before I grew up SBC but recently we’ve been exploring liturgical and nondenominational small churches. I look forward to reading all these younger thoughts.
Also in my mid forties... I share the struggle of pride that says, "they don't have anything to teach me". In the last year I've been learning how much pride I still need Christ to remove from me.
That pride has been a temptation for me as a layperson with more formal theological training than many local church leaders. It has helped to remember that the ministry of the church is more than Bible study and sleek sermons.
A.J. I sincerely appreciated this. “One of the ways that God grows us is to put us in places that we perceive may slow us down.” I’m approaching my mid forties as well and have found this to be very true.
One way I practice this is by taking a “mental health retreat” each year by myself or with a friend who understands I want to be alone at times during the trip. I use this time to sort out with God some of the more pressing things I encountered in my life that year. Sometimes I work through my anger and others I express my joy.
Thanks Tabitha for bringing us this meaningful newsletter!
I think of that song often in my own life and those around me. There's grief to what we're missing in all the grasping and conquering, that "offers nothing more than a broken heart."
Always love reading AJ's words. He had compassion on my brother a few years back, so I always thank God for him.
I'm approaching my mid-forties as well, so this was very relatable! I loved his insights into the pace of Paul's ministry, and that "epiphanies need margin" (wow). I'll be chewing on this for a while, thanks to A.J. Swoboda for this guest post!
“Epiphanies need margin” is such a profound statement. I want those kinds of experiences with God and others and I have to be willing to slow down for them.
I was in a cult church for 20 of my 36 years as a Christian so it took years of uprooting and I'm still rooting out things that were imbeded there. So, often I am learning from much younger Christians. It is hard sometimes to think of all the years I wasted and a time of deconstructionism, but God knows. I've learned that he is very patient with us. More patient than we ourselves often are. This was a great post, which I'll be reading again to allow to soak in.
He is so patient with us, isn’t He? And I don’t believe that He wastes anything. So glad you’re here.
Good stuff, AJ
I’m 64 and the last several years, I’ve been learning and growing from listening to all you younger voices. Looking at you, you 40ish midlife. 😉
I have found it so refreshing and exciting to see the new generations of academics, biblical scholars, teachers sharing so much I never have heard before I grew up SBC but recently we’ve been exploring liturgical and nondenominational small churches. I look forward to reading all these younger thoughts.
Faith is a journey of learning that never ends.
Also in my mid forties... I share the struggle of pride that says, "they don't have anything to teach me". In the last year I've been learning how much pride I still need Christ to remove from me.
That remaining pride needed to root out seems to grow with age.
That pride has been a temptation for me as a layperson with more formal theological training than many local church leaders. It has helped to remember that the ministry of the church is more than Bible study and sleek sermons.
A.J. I sincerely appreciated this. “One of the ways that God grows us is to put us in places that we perceive may slow us down.” I’m approaching my mid forties as well and have found this to be very true.
One way I practice this is by taking a “mental health retreat” each year by myself or with a friend who understands I want to be alone at times during the trip. I use this time to sort out with God some of the more pressing things I encountered in my life that year. Sometimes I work through my anger and others I express my joy.
Thanks Tabitha for bringing us this meaningful newsletter!
That’s a beautiful practice, Mel. What a gift to yourself.
One of my favorite songs is "The Hurry and the Harm" by City and Colour.
https://youtu.be/T75A_voeGJI?si=MpUaAsa2jRwuW-LJ
I think of that song often in my own life and those around me. There's grief to what we're missing in all the grasping and conquering, that "offers nothing more than a broken heart."
Always love reading AJ's words. He had compassion on my brother a few years back, so I always thank God for him.
And thanks for having him share, Tabitha!
I'm approaching my mid-forties as well, so this was very relatable! I loved his insights into the pace of Paul's ministry, and that "epiphanies need margin" (wow). I'll be chewing on this for a while, thanks to A.J. Swoboda for this guest post!
Yes, such a good line! I might have to write that one down near my desk.
“Epiphanies need margin” is such a profound statement. I want those kinds of experiences with God and others and I have to be willing to slow down for them.
It’s so hard to do, especially in working motherhood (which I know you can relate to), but there’s really no replacement for it, right?