When Planning Feels Pointless.

In case you didn't know, I am a big planner. I love it because designing and committing to plans is how we make cool things out of nothing.

However, if I'm being honest, this is the first year in many I haven't felt like planning for 2024. To be exact, I've been worried there's not much point, things feel too dark to be dreamy and hopeful. 

One reason is, every time I get in the shower - I mean literally every time - I'm crushed by the thought of women and children in Gaza who have no water (much less hot water), no food, no shelter and no safety, and it's wrecking me. 

Add Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, climate change, election season and I kept thinking, who cares what we do, Rome is burning.

I know this thought (and others like it) aren't helpful, but I'm burdened by them. It's like I'm stuck between wanting to keep my energy high and hopeful, then feeling guilty and naive for doing so.

In case you feel the same,

Here are two things that have helped:

1. I spoke to an old friend the other night, because talking it out with someone you trust to love you when you're confused, is always a good idea.

I'm not even sure what all she said, except for her 2024 plans to make moves on a vision she's had for more than a decade. Just hearing her talk reminded me, that yes, what's wrong is always available, it always has been and historically, it was often much much worse. 

BUT...WHAT'S RIGHT IS AVAILABLE TOO. It just takes discipline to look for it, choose it and keep our faces pointed toward it, like winter sun, on a cold day.  

Talking to her reminded me of Psalm 3 which reads, But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Oh yes. There it is. This world, if allowed, will always invite us to be downcast and that's why we choose to look up and praise - even when it's hard to.

2. The television show The Chosen. 

It's weird that I am an evangelist for this show, because I am hardly a fan of Christian television.

The Chosen, which centers around the 15 or so people Jesus invited to follow him in the early days of his ministry, has enamored me with it's rendering of the gospel. This Jesus is so incredibly compelling, (I mean duh) that I doubt I can watch what's about to go down in Season Four. The disciples, both men and women, are constantly bewildered, blowing it, full of doubt and regularly bickering - just like I would have been if I'd had the courage to drop my nets and follow a nobody Rabbi from Nazareth. 

Season four drops in February, so if you can binge the first three seasons, like I did, I think you might find yourself heartened in our insane world. To me the confusion Jesus' followers felt while navigating a dark, political oppressor (Rome) and a religious one (Judaism) feels prescient.

Also, somehow these American writers and producers made Jesus very unlike American-Jesus. He's humble, funny, sorrowful, suffering, poor, brown and very very focused on a non-violent revolution. If you've never met that Jesus before, this introduction is a sound one. 

Faith Leaves Clues.

As I was writing this post, I googled the "lifter of our heads" scripture, to find where it was.

It's Psalm 3:3, (you can read it here) and here's the funny thing: In the last episode of season three, Peter, who is still hot-tempered Simon, circles up the disciples and they put their arms around each other.

They know things are about to get loud in Jerusalem, because Jesus told them so. They talk about fear of opposition, fear for their families, even death and then pray the whole of Psalm 3 together. I love it when God repeats himself to me, like: Pay attention!

Jesus never said times wouldn't be dark and hard, he said to trust God and lift our heads; standing firm to the end, which is exactly what my friend Jenny and I are choosing to do. 

If you want to learn how to do this with us, how to make the second half of your life true to whatever vision the God of your understanding has given you, check out the Meaning of Midlife Academy. In it we help women surrender some of their old ways and learn new ones they'll need to operate in their purpose. 

You can also watch our latest training here. 

Hopeful New Year!