Layers of Life

A few weeks ago, I posted the statement: “We put so much pressure on ourselves to perform—to be accepted—to earn approval—to be loved—yet, really, we are already loved…not because of our accomplishments but because of who we are.” That night, as I felt like a total failure unworthy of being loved because of my extremely poor bowling performance, I remembered this status and shook my head at the reality that I had posted it somewhat prophetically. I stopped, reminded myself of my own words, and tried to accept the fact that I wasn’t loved because of my ability to bowl average or above but because I am me.

On Monday, I posted the statement: “There are always layers of life going on around you—know which layers you can affect and work to make an impact on those—trust life’s journey and the God who created it all to take care of the rest.” This week, I have been reminded of this statement time and time again and I find myself shaking my head at the reality that I, once again, posted something prophetically.

Through texts, e-mails, chats, phone conversations, and face-to-face interactions and observations, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of hurt that people are carrying beneath their masks of holding life together: worries of physical sickness; anxieties of jobs; fears of not being good enough; grief of death, dying, and naturally fading relationships; stresses of not getting everything done; doubts of the existence of God; questions of identity and faith; feelings of intense loneliness; concerns for children and parents; pains from wounds both literal and figurative; and more.

“There are always layers of life going on around you…”

I know this. I get this. I understand this as much as I understand that we need oxygen to survive. Yet. I forget. I forget to be patient. I forget to be loving. I forget to be gracious. I forget that the world does not revolve around me. I forget to be kind because everyone I meet is “fighting a great battle.” Oh. I’m not necessarily outwardly rude—at least I hope I’m not. But my thoughts aren’t always godly and my expectations aren’t always reasonable and my tact is sometimes lacking and my release of peace isn’t always far-reaching.

So, friends, if you are reading this, know that I know that you are fighting a great battle. Whatever it is. Whatever you are fighting. Know that I know. And know that you are not alone. You are never, ever alone…

God has promised faithfulness. And God, who is community in and of Godself, has placed you on this earth in common humanity. So whatever layers of life you are living, know that you are not alone. You do not have to sort through the layers as the sole pioneer of a new frontier. As the Ecclesiast said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

At this moment, as I write, I am breathing in all of the junk of this world—the dark, dank, stale air—and I am imagining Jesus filtering it that I can breathe out light, love, goodness, hope, joy, peace, and everything good…for you…and for all of the other people in this world who are walking with you…whoever, wherever you are…

I will keep breathing. And I will keep trying to remember what I know to be true…that there are always layers of life going on around me and I must work to make an impact where I can and to trust life’s journey and the God who created it all to take care of the rest.

I hope you will accept my forgiveness when I fail…and accept my challenge to do the same.