Welcome God to Your Chaos

Mornings are tough for my family. Everyone is scrambling to get to work and to school. I would like to say that everything flows seamlessly with synergy and cooperation; unfortunately, there are many days, when it does not. It can be pure chaos. Sometimes after much confusion and morning havoc, my son Justice and I leave the house, get in the car, buckle up, pull off and drive to school. We exhale in relief, thankful we both made it out alive. When we arrive near the school, I park my car at least two blocks away. As we walk toward the school, we talk and pray. It's just two or three minutes of time, but my son prays about school, for family, his hope for the day, goals, concerns, joys, or whatever is on his heart. Occasionally, he asks me to pray for him. Other times, I suggest things for him to pray about, especially if it has been a rough week. He is now in the fifth grade, and we have been doing this ritual since he was in kindergarten. It has become a part of our daily routine, shifting us and preparing us for our ongoing walk with Christ. When I pick him up in the evening, we talk about how his prayers helped him that day. It is amazing what two blocks and a few minutes can do.

We were created to worship God. So by design, it is impossible to feel complete or fulfilled without God at the center of our lives. No matter how busy or crazy things get, incorporating intentional time for God can unlock the door to abundant life. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God first and “all other things will be added.” When we welcome God into our day and acknowledge God as our power source, we are living our divine purpose. Don’t just think of worship as taking place in a building, in a small group or in an extravagant over-the-top event. Consider that worship can also be a personal and intimate offering of our time and our gifts, a commitment to allow God to use us for God’s glory wherever we are or whatever we do. We can be a living liturgy.

You may feel that you don’t have much time, and you may be scratching your head trying to figure out how to become a living liturgy. Remember, Jesus took everyday life situations and interactions and turned them into moments that transformed lives. We must look at our lives as followers of Christ and see the possibilities to transform and be transformed. Get creative! Think outside the box. As we move from place to place, from one activity to the next, let’s be willing to give some of that time to the Creator. It doesn't take but a moment to stop and pray, to sing a song of praise, to encourage someone, to read from the Bible, or to help a person in need. Find your own way in the midst of the craziness to walk a few blocks and take a few minutes to welcome God in. God is waiting on you.

Reading Recommendations

• Jesus in Blue Jeans: A Practical Guide to Everyday Spirituality by Laurie Beth Jones
• Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ by James Bryan Smith (Apprentice Series)
• Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith (Apprentice Series)
• Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love by James Bryan Smith (Apprentice Series)