Kaleidoscope of Commotion: God’s Arena of Life

Have you ever had days, weeks, or maybe months where your life seemed to be spinning fast in what felt like a Kaleidoscope of Commotion? Perhaps it was due to an array of colorful events. Many of these circumstances may be out of your control, and in those instances we are called to have wisdom and discernment. Maybe it was due to the fact you were busy diving head-first and heart-free into living the life you were meant to live. As crazy as this place may be at times, it can also be a place of beauty when it is within God’s arena of life.

I have noticed it is so much easier to have 20/20 vision when looking back in time.

Have you ever noticed that too? We are wiser and often more historic in our understanding and perspective. We can see how things worked out in spite of the difficulties we faced at the time. Yet that does not mean we want to relive them again. Some of those life events left wounds. However, when reflection allows us to see how even man-made crises, once placed in God’s arena, can be used for good it allows us to trust the future, even those days that lend themselves to crazy commotion. Jeremiah 29:11 says it much better than I can. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When things are spinning out of control and you can’t catch your breath from one situation before you are hit with another, how do you know which way to turn? How is it that you can discern which events are in God’s arena and which are outside? In which situations are you to be bold and take a stand? And, which ones are part of God’s plan? Is this Kaleidoscope of commotion part of the adventure of following the Lord? These are not easy questions; is there an easy answer?

Why not go to the next verse in Jeremiah 29:12.  “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” That is the key! Since each of our situations is different, He is not giving us a pat answer, but rather, a pat invitation where we can find our answer. If you are southern you understand that means He wants you to, “come calling!” And when you come calling in the South you plan on a leisurely visit. Take the time to come into His presence and pray!

The last part of this verse shows that His words are precious and true: “I will listen to you!” What a promise…what a wonderful gift! In our busy world where everyone is texting and never really listening, this shows Christ is very personal. He knows you, He knows me, so the depth of His listening abilities goes beyond words! It goes to the Cross of understanding because He died for us before we were even born.

The next verse takes the good news one step further. When our world is crazy, loud, and in mass confusion; when we have wounds from the past creeping in to grab the joys of today; when we are wondering if this life of obstacles is too high, too heavy and too great: that is when we know how much we need our Lord.

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” So no matter what has happened in the past, no matter what is occurring today, and no matter what is going to happen tomorrow, God’s already in every arena of life. Isn’t it wonderful that He decided to cover it with a Kaleidoscope of color and beauty to go along with all of the commotion!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)