Everything All at Once and the God Who Meets Us There

Have you ever had to learn or do something ‘everything, everywhere, all at once? I’m in the final stages of publishing my book and thought I had decent computer skills… but the versions I needed to use were so different that I had to learn a new program.

Publishing a book requires many large decisions, the title, the back cover, and small decisions like the font and what is called line spacing (how the words are spaced), just to name a few.

Meanwhile, a snowstorm in California severely damaged my brother’s roof, and I am assisting him with the insurance claim.

And then I took a fall and injured my knee. I’m scheduled for an MRI to find out if it needs surgery.

Everything everywhere all at once.

I was at my wits’ end when three devotions in a row spoke volumes to me.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12

And it dawned on me, “Where can I go from your spirit? ” can also apply to your mind. My mind was consumed with the frustrations of learning, or when I don’t understand easily, so I can get things done. I felt alone on Frustration and Worry Island.

I had memorized this verse up to, “Your right hand will hold me fast.” And missed the next line about the darkness. Here I was in the dark of not understanding, where God would shine a light.

This verse reminded me – God is here in my frustrations and worries.

The second day’s devotion was from Psalm 100, also one of my favorites.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all ye lands
Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

How did I forget the second verse, “Serve the Lord with gladness?” I was not glad these last couple of days. Yet this devotion reflected, “We can become so overwhelmed with solving a problem that we lose all pleasure in life.”

And as soon as I welcomed God back, I got the confirmation I would teach a class at the reNEW Christian Writers’ conference in the fall. I had submitted my proposal 2 months earlier, titled “How Not to Write a Novel (Lessons Learned the Hard Way).” And I laughed at myself, for now I have a whole new section on computer skills.

God is so personal in God moments, putting people, or a devotion, a song, something, everywhere all at once, just when we need it. We just need to see or hear it.

Wherever you are in life, whether on Frustration Island, Worry Island, or Overwhelmed Island, let the light shine in your darkness.

Anyone who obeys me will obey my teaching. My father will love them, and we will come and make our home with them. John 14:23

I leave you with the Upper Room Prayer. Patient and loving God, even though it’s hard sometimes, help us to trust you to resolve the overwhelming issues we face. Keep us ever mindful of all we have to be grateful for. Amen