Stay On The Boat & Why You Need A Gua Sha
I use the word "need" very loosely here.
You knew I’d come sliding back into inboxes at the end of the year, right? I love solid, consistent rhythms, but there are seasons those hard fought for rhythms blow up and I spend more time trying to grab at the pieces left than stepping back and figuring out how to build something new.
Picking up more contracts, getting to work with more non-profits and local churches (all good things), also means the season of steadily walking has turned into an all out sprint. Margin we fight for disappears fast when we don’t keep fighting for it.
So, let’s take a minute to touch base. Because this community is one of my favorite - non-pressurized - things I get to do. How’s about a quick check-in followed by a review of all the things I’ve stress-purchased on Amazon lately?
What To Know
Here’s the thing: In your 20’s, you’re pretty much just walking through whatever door opens.
There’s a major that is about something you like? Okay, great.
There’s an internship with a place you like? Let’s do it.
A job is offered and everyone says you need a job? Probably going to do it.
Oh, people are starting to get married? Faux-pressure to be dating, engaged, married with a baby on the way enters the chat.
But as you put years in and gain experience, finding your lane, learning to run in it - other doors start swinging open.
The question is: How do you know which door to walk through?
I’ve said it before: Just because a door opens doesn’t mean we should walk through it.
I spent a lot of time believing I wouldn’t have the opportunity if it wasn’t a gift from God. But, what if it isn’t a gift from God? What if it’s a distraction from God?
We can mistake a good next step as His next step. When, as it plays out, it’s actually a step away from Him rather than toward Him.
Over the past year, I’ve said, “Yes,” to opportunities when I probably should’ve said, “No.” Great offers on paper didn’t necessarily translate to great offers in reality.
It hit me when I was reading about our guy Noah in Genesis. Maybe you’re like me and you’ve read/heard the story of Noah approx 3295023 times. I almost skipped it that morning in my quiet time. I mean, I get it. Boat, rain, two x two, etc. etc. You know what I missed in all the times I’ve read it, though?
How did Noah know when to get off the dadgum boat? Logic says he got off when it stopped raining. Logic schmlogic.
Allow me to direct you to Genesis 8 for further reading. But I’ll drop you a quick summary:
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
The flood itself lasted for 150 days.
Eventually (a varying amount of days later), the ark came to rest on top of a mountain.
So, let’s pause here. This is the first instance I would’ve thought to myself, “Welp, that’s that. Everybody off this miserable boat.”
I would’ve been tired of the small space. Tired of the people. Tired of the animals. Tired of the smell. Tired of the same thing over and over again, day after day.
I would’ve been tired.
But Noah sat in that boat atop that mountain for 40 more days before cracking a window and sending out a raven and a dove. The dove returned, signaling the water hadn’t receded enough - so they stayed put.
Seven days later, Noah sent out the dove again. It returned with an olive sprig, showing the water had finally receded enough.
Now, me? I would’ve stepped out on that ark’s front porch, taken a look around and declared us done. It would’ve looked okay. What I see is not what God sees.
Noah waited ANOTHER SEVEN DAYS and sent out the dove again. This time, it didn’t return. Scholars say Noah waited another 29 days before removing the cover of the ark and stepping outside. Based on the chronology of the dates listed in Genesis 7-8, scholars go on to say it was another 57 days before God calls Noah to leave the ark in Genesis 8:15-17.
In total, it’s estimated Noah was on the ark 371 days.
Let’s say it together: What. The. Heck.
Here’s what I’m getting at:
Noah knew God had called him onto the boat, and Noah knew God would call him off the boat.
That is faith.
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith says:
Your Creator created your hopes. So what you’re waiting on, aching for - He knows it. And He knows how He’ll meet you in those hopes. He knows when He’ll meet you in those hopes.
Faith says:
There is more here that you don’t see, yet.
Noah saw land. But he didn’t hear God.
One of the Enemy’s greatest tools is distraction, cleverly disguised as gifts.
Don’t step off the boat because something looks good. Wait until God says,
“This is good.”
Don’t look for ways to vacate the boat, convinced you’ve done your time. (Talking to myself, here.)
Make the space to steadily hear from God instead of forcing space for an exit route.
Where you are right now is not where you’ll always be.
What you feel right now will not always be what you feel.
Whatever is next is better than what you think you want now.
I know you’re tired, but don’t get off the boat yet.
When an opportunity comes, I ask a few questions (consider these the doves I send out):
Hey God, is this a gift or a distraction?
Does this opportunity create anxiety or excitement? (Weirdly enough, they can feel the same.)
How will I feel if I say yes? How will I feel if I say no?
Am I saying yes because I’m just tired of seeing the same sights, doing the same things?
Why do I feel like I should do this? Is there misplaced pressure to prove something?
God, give me faith to trust you in what I do see & to walk me toward what I don’t see.
What To Ignore
Holiday pressure - in any form.
You don’t have to get the perfect gift. Most just love being thought of.
You don’t have to make every moment magical. Just be present.
You don’t have to fill your schedule. You matter without a full schedule.
You don’t have to move the freaking elf every night. She’s tired, too.
Lots more about the holidays, what to do with unsolicited advice and navigating new & old traditions on this week’s episode: 2022 Holiday Special.
What To Try
TikTok convinces me to try a lot. Recipes, exercises, hair styles and…the Gua Sha.
Apparently this small apparatus drains your lymphatic system, which in turn minimizes the bloat and - in wonders of all wonders - GIVES YOU A JAWLINE.
Now, can I say all of this is true? No, not yet. But I’m on the road to discovery and I will report back.
I’ve also recently been the recipient of this satin pillow case and these shower capsules I’ve shared before, but that I still love.
Put all of these things together and you have yourself a really great gift set for someone. Or yourself. I don’t judge.
Whatever your Thursday/weekend brings, I hope there is at minimum a Christmas movie + Little Debbie Christmas trees involved. That’s honestly my heart for you in this moment. Do with it what you will.
