New Rhythms

The moment the calendar flips to September, I typically feel a sense of calm after an otherwise chaotic summer. The kids are back in school, days become shorter, and cozy blankets are pulled from the closet for those cooler nights. This year, though, looks different. Everything from school to church to coffee dates has become virtual. The reality is that, for all of us, this season looks, well, much different.

What does that mean for our rhythms?

As I tossed out my planner from last year, I contemplated even buying another one. This year, there would be no spectators at ball games, team snacks to make, Monday night bible studies, or even school field trips to the pumpkin farm. Much of our lives seem like we’ve been on some sort of extended summer vacation for months now. Yet I longed for something more, something different, something new. 

Taking this to the Lord in prayer, I was tenderly reminded of the peace He gives us during chaos.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10, ESV).

Maybe the mountains and hills haven’t left our rural Pennsylvania backyard, but if you told me they did, I might believe you in this crazy year we call 2020. Our world has been turned upside down by COVID-19. Many of the things we have stood upon as foundational now seem in a constant current, moving in unpredictable directions.

But you know what? God’s Word says that He gives us a covenant of peace. A promise. And it will not be removed. He has compassion on the thoughts and feelings and circumstances that we sometimes are too scared to even bring to Him in prayer. He knows. And He reminds us that His steadfast love isn’t going anywhere. In fact, His love becomes the very thing we are to stand upon. The one thing that won’t be shaken or cracked or overcome. 

As I gathered my thoughts around this, I decided to get another planner. This one, though, will include all the things I need to stay focused on the One who remains steadfast: Morning worship. Afternoon bible verse meditation. Evening family prayer. 

Yes, life looks different this year. But do you know what doesn’t look different? The way God tenderly cares for us as His children. The way He draws us to Himself so that we can learn more about who He is. Who He wants to be in our lives. How He longs to be shown to our children. Those are the things that will remain.

As we look forward to this autumn, we wonder about vaccines, travel bans, quarantines... Perhaps things will get better in the coming months. But I am reminded in the words of the prophet Daniel (in chapter 3:17-18) of God’s presence and protection. No matter the changing seasons of life.

Rachael Groll is a missionary, author, and speaker. You can keep up with her at her blog shehears.org.