What has this last 15 months taught us? Remember the conversations at the beginning of Lockdown?

Many loved having time to do things they had always wanted to do, others were overwhelmed at work

Relationships became more important than possessions.

We discovered a new love for nature and the outdoors

Gardens and homes were transformed

We found new ways to stay in touch with family and friends

Everyone began to re-evaluate life. We saw beautiful encouragement and selfish greed. We saw loss and grief as well as stories of heroes and wonderful acts of kindness.

For some fear was overwhelming and yet others embraced this season and poured blessing on everyone they came in contact with.

Now what are we craving? Normality? I hope not because have you forgotten the striving and exhaustion of ‘normal’ before Covid. Very few were content when life was ‘normal’

So I ask myself, was it the lack of busyness we loved at the beginning of lockdown or the lack of striving?

Striving to be an imitation of the ‘perfect’ person on Instagram. Striving for the next position on the ladder of employment. Striving for the perfect, tidier, bigger home. Striving for acceptance, approval, happiness! Striving to be loved. Striving for ‘enough’ money

And so much more, isn’t it exhausting, surely that normal is not worth trying to bring back?

While we anchor ourselves to the culture of the world and how success is measured we will never stop striving. Instead anchor yourself in God and His wise words, seek after Him, then instead of striving to be someone you were never supposed to be, He grows you into an even more beautiful version of yourself. Don’t listen to the voices that make you feel less than, remember He made you uniquely and loves you fiercely as you are.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:13-14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

What do these verses remind us?

The power of contentment and living in the moment, worry about tomorrow doesn’t change tomorrow but it does rob today of its joy.

We are created in God’s image, everything He does is marvellously breathtaking and that includes you as you are without the Snapchat filter or perfect home or whatever else you think is the final thing you need to be happy. He describes you as a Masterpiece and the apple of His eye. He loves you as you are without any filters.

God is whispering to you…’ come to me and stop your striving’ Stop striving because it never ends.

““Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Take Him at His word, He is waiting with open arms and as you step towards Him He is already running towards you 💕