Discovery

New discoveries; it isn’t so much that they happen, they will and they do.  How does one take time to see, hear, and potentially understand?  What is the right response?  Is there anything we can do to prepare? 
 
When I reflect on everything flooding our lives I find myself numbed, overwhelmed, and slightly burned out.  There is no way anyone could have adequately prepared.  Given the circumstances, the ability to experience and continue to walk were examples I will treasure for years to come.  I wish I could say everything was settled, we were in a period of calm, or even how our emotional reserves were now replenished.  Yet none of this is true.  In fact the discoveries continue to come, surprising us at every turn!  I look around and find that I am not in an unique position – others are struggling to deal with the floods in their lives, overwhelmed by something new, different, or twisted.
 
One of the key moments comes when we discover life in a way not anticipated, expected, or planned.  It can be helpful to look at the examples of others.  When two of Jesus’ ran to discover the facts, when one found himself “stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.  Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself.  Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed.   No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.  The disciples then went back home.” (John 20.5-10)
 
We can and should utilize this model more often!  Something new comes across your path?  With patience and thoughtfulness open yourself up to the facts.  If the facts do not fit in a model, take a step back, gather yourself, seek counsel, reflect, and then take a step forward.