Perspective, Life Seasons & Cell Phone Screens

The word, "Seasons" came to mind this morning as I read in the Book of Numbers, 30-50 year-olds therein defined as the most suitable range of ages for critical assignments.

Uhhhmm?

Then as I began capturing my thoughts, I realized that even my aging cell phone now struggles. Her screen holds a hairline crack and now requires the occasional restart. Then too often also the need to delete letters or symbols uninvited by my keyboard, "ghosting" my screen. Even at times capitalizing entire paragraphs!

Frustration is a real enemy, nevertheless, intermittently, as I prayfully read, my mind caused me to reflect upon those distinct windows of time long recorded in my brain cells, spiritual seasons. Varied in their intensity and focus, spanning some three congregations served within three different communities, while as a coach, engaging with scores of pastors across numerous denominations.

I've been privileged in my calling.

That's the stuff wisdom seems derived from, eldership they call it. At times no easy road, yet providing deep reserves of learning, and in my case across multiple sectors.

This week within several conversations, a couple definitely providential, I found myself advising folk in that 30-50 year bracket. All were deeply engaged in their specific assignments, yet still desperately attempting to discern their real purpose in life.

It seemed little time into each conversation, before I sensed their hunger! Surely there was more to life than the daily assignments necessary for providing "food on the table?"

"Welcome to Wonder" seems now a theme that surfaces in such conversations, as I ponder the hidden uniqueness within each new acquaintance, and the emotion that wells up in those with whom I share such wonder.

Perhaps all this is evidence of some fundamental spiritual shift emerging of necessity, as capitalsm and American Christianity now have presented us with this unique moment of crises.

Though a believer in both, I am quite aware of their extremes, and when simultaneously skewed, creating an oil and water like mixture, the potential emulsion quite putrid!

Greed and religion along with an uber political blindness has created a muck hard to maneuver, no longer life lubricating, joyful, nor representative of the Christ.

How does this elder stay positive in a season threatened by this amalgam of two once life sustaining system, both seemingly misappropriated, creating a combination lethal if left to those blinded by such chemistry.

It's a new season, new threats, new strategies required, though wonder remains!

I'm frankly energized as we sit on the cusp of a true transformation and the thought that I might live to see the turnaround.

Darkness only lasts for one night at a time, and age is only a number!

Perhaps even those sudden burst of capitalized paragraphs were providential?

I just need a new cell phone and I'll be fine!