Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome today’s guest blogger, my dear friend and our courageous PWOC president, Carriann Lane.
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“Why can’t you just let it go?!”
I saw exasperation and frustration on her face. I knew she was ready to blow – her raised voice was a fair indication. I understood what her emotion was, I just didn’t understand why talking was so aggravating. I was about 11 years old, and I knew I should let it go …but, of course, I did not. An answer was not what my mouth got me that day, but I was learning something.
“Why can’t you just let it go?!”
I saw anger and irritation on his face. He was about to flip his lid, thanks to my questioning.
I asked: “Where did you hear that? Are you sure that’s true?”
He heard: “You are lying.” “That’s dumb. You’re dumb.” “I don’t respect you.”
I was about 20 years old, and I understood how he was feeling, but again, why he felt it was a mystery.
A new question replaced the others: “Why can’t I just let it go?” Why does getting it right matter so much to me?
This week, I found myself asking this again.
I really did want to let it go, because the questions before me this week were enormous. Problems that seemed too far gone, too big, and also not mine to bear. Problems for the Lord to solve. The blood of 21 martyrs. Friends in the region. Addiction. But my intercessor’s heart was pricked, and I couldn’t let it go.
“Why have you made me this way, Lord?” I wrestled. “What do you want to accomplish?”
God is slowly revealing the fullness and direction of his purpose for my life. My “One Word” this year is “declare.” I know I need a lot more wisdom than I currently possess. This week in my bible study, I saw Proverbs and James advise that if we lack understanding, we simply need to ask for it. So I did.
I ask God lots of questions, but he is not bothered. He welcomes questions, because He has all the answers. This is how I was designed. God hard-wired me this way. He also sent me the teacher, the Holy Spirit, to refine my raw temperament.
God wanted me to understand something else, long before we got to “declare.”
First, he had to teach me to communicate with compassion. It started with a good look at Paul. Paul didn’t vapidly mirror others to woo them, he intentionally met them where they were at, to love them with the truth.
Paul said, “I am free and belong to no one. But I make myself a slave to all people to win as many as I can. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews. I myself am not ruled by the law. But to those who are ruled by the law I became like a person who is ruled by the law. I did this to win those who are ruled by the law.”
“To those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law. I did this to win those people who are without the law. (But really, I am not without God’s law — I am ruled by Christ’s law.) To those who are weak, I became weak so I could win the weak. I have become all things to all people so I could save some of them in any way possible. I do all this because of the Good News and so I can share in its blessings.”
Paul taught me to meet people where they are. God said, “Show, more than tell.” There are so many alternatives to words– look at all the ways God communicates.
I am still not great at this.
Ask me how I feel about Starbucks sizes. I’ll definitely tell you and maybe ask you to write congress about it. Tall, Grande, Venti. “Why? Why?! For the Love of God, why did you switch languages for two-thirds of your naming strategy?” “You have ruined my life. I can’t bring myself to talk about why you call your short a tall. I. Can’t. Even.” It’s the name we don’t speak.
As you can see, I have an odd mix of pragmatic and dramatic rolling around upstairs.
Does it feel like someone snatches what you say out of thin air, mixes it up, and puts it in the ear of the ones you want to have easy conversations with the most? Are you frustrated with annoying questions? How do you respond? Join the conversation and leave a comment.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” ~James 1:5
Carriann Lane spends her 7 days time in a myriad of projects. She is a Full-time Home Educator, Part-Time Adjunct* Humanities Faculty, Leader of Initiatives and Organizations, Certified Justice Planner, Lover of Christ, Chris, and 3 Children, Technical Writer “Trying Content Writer On for Size” Guest Blogger.
*Because she is a technical writer, she knows that “Part-Time” and “Adjunct” are redundant.
Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
