Right now, I am feeling demotivated.

Our world is still battling a global pandemic. And, this week, after months of closure and restriction, schools finally reopened.

Other things – like shops and businesses – are also open.

However, some things – like most of the playgroups and toddler classes I used to attend – are closed.

This means, while my teacher husband gets back to his pre-lockdown routine, I find myself a little bit… lost.

On top of that, I am struggling to adjust to a different financial situation.

As a result, I feel like I am living day-to-day.

In the past, our family has thrived on routine. My pre-pandemic days were punctuated with coffee dates, shopping trips, sing and swim classes, playdates, playgroups and mama and baby fitness classes. Yet, now, I am struggling to find a “new normal,” or, in my case, a “new, cheap and socially-distanced normal!”

My point is: it can sometimes feel so hard to keep your hopes up, when you have no idea what the future holds.

So, my question is this: how can I feel enthusiastic about this weird, unexpected season in front of me?

I have four ideas. But, because my ideas are a little lengthy, I will share two today and post the other two tomorrow!

Let Change Happen

My first thought is: I need to let change happen.

I need to let go of all the things I loved about the past – thank God they happened – but accept that they are no longer around.

I know that sounds bleak! But fighting reality always requires energy. If I don’t accept my situation, I could spend a lot of energy living in denial… and I don’t want that.

Letting change happen doesn’t just require you to let go of the past. You also have to make a decision to let God step into your future, any which way He likes!

Think about it: do you want to replace your old routine for a new one that doesn’t bring you joy?

Don’t sit in denial, but don’t force a solution that doesn’t fit. Let God be the one that brings you into your destiny. Don’t fill your schedule with things that He is not asking you to do, because that will also require unnecessary energy.

He is the God who works all things for our good. (Romans 8:28.) You don’t need to play God!

God knows what you need to learn right now and He knows how to usher you through this change. The best thing you can do is this: let change happen, His way.

Action Point: You might want to write a list of things you are letting go of and thank God for each of them. At the bottom of the list write “my plans” and let go of any plans that you are trying to force into action.

Expect to Be Uncomfortable

Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of what we signed up for. We, as Christians, don’t sign up for a life without hope or meaning. We sign up for a life that glorifies the creator of all heaven and earth!

Therefore, we should expect to be refined by God. We should expect God to improve every area of our lives.

But, often, God’s refining process looks and feels uncomfortable.

For example, I don’t like the fact that I have little to zero disposable income, right now. It makes me uncomfortable. But I know that God is challenging me to live totally free from love of money. I know that He is constantly showing me a new way to live, free from anything that could harm me and stop me from living a wonderful life.

Here is the crux of what I am trying to get to: God is worth it all. All the discomfort. All the refining. All the stripping back and letting go.

You have to resolve that.

I have to resolve that.

Because there can’t be a bit of me that wants the clothes and cash, more than I want Him. I can’t say that I am “all in” and then bail out when it gets tough. I don’t want that life – that isn’t what I signed up for! I want to be all in on this adventure. I have to remind myself of that.

I didn’t say yes to Jesus eight years ago, only to wind-up half-heartedly believing Him while I over-spend, over-strive and over-stretch.

I said yes to a life where he refines me until all that is left is Him. So I am consumed by Him and so that I live and rest and abide in him. So that I spend when He says, go where He leads and trust Him always.

The book of Hebrews says:

Now all discipline seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.

So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees,for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!

Hebrews 12: 11 – 13, TPT.

Even when things seem to be more pain than pleasure, He is in control. He is refining me, or disciplining me… just like I asked Him to!

Here is the tricky truth is: you and I have to decide whether to take our Christianity seriously, or not.

For me, it is an honour to be stripped back and refined by God. So, once again, I choose to be all-in.

Action Point: Ask yourself – why did you became a believer in the first place? Are you really all-in with God?

Part 2 of this post, released tomorrow*…

(*Mainly because my husband told me the full thing was “quite long, but all necessary!”)