Snoozing?!

         From across the house, I've heard my son's alarm go off  at least 8 times in the past hour.  Life is like that for some of us (me included).  I wait until after an over-indulgent Christmas to cut back on sweets, I write my academic papers the weekend before they are due, and I wait until my deodorant has crumbled onto the floor before I buy a new one.  What can I say.... I'm like that.
     Sometimes my relationship with God is like this too.  I coast along, things are going "well," and I'm fairly content with the schedule of events that take place in my life - so my relationship with God reflects my "casual" state.  Things are "cool" (like Fonzie cool) in my life, so God and I are cooled off.  I don't do it purposely or even defiantly, life just seems to find a day-after-day rhythm and I go with it.  (Hey, conflict free is good!)
     The neat thing about God is that He doesn't let the status quo stay that way for very long.  I believe He's always in pursuit of our attentions and affections, and so once in a while (a good deal of once in a whiles actually!), God shakes it up. In my experience, when God is shaking it up, it is the sweetest spot to be in (I say that in hindsight of course, because in those intense moments it can be pretty dramatic and unnerving).
     Late last summer, while in pursuit of my bachelor's degree in business, I all of a sudden became disinterested in my classes.  Couldn't force myself to care one bit.  I freaked out while trying to understand what had just happened to my drive, my will, my plans!?  At the same time, I had been asked to share several times publicly about my recovery from alcohol addiction at church (I'm sober over 12 years).  
      Let me give a little history... Almost three years ago I had decided to pursue a religion degree and perhaps enter the ministry.  After starting back to evening college, my rational thinking soon got the best of me and I changed my major to a more sensible (and profitable) pursuit of a business degree.  And I was trucking along, not thrilled with the subject matter, but doing just fine.  Well, God got my attention about MY decision after two years of business classes.
      After I shared at church last summer, God got my attention by shaking up my little plans and designs, and turning my status quo life up-side-down. Over the course of several weeks, using people, events, and deep intuitive feelings I wrestled with God over my choice of majors and my future plans. I rationalized, bargained, evaluated, and even ran the numbers.  I lost.  What a sweet surrender!
     Before the fall term began, I made the phone call to my school and put the change of major in play.  Now three classes in and I'm living my dream.  I love my classes--Hebrew Prophets, Exegesis Writing, the Gospels - bring it on! bring it on! bring it on!  I am officially a "theological nerd" and proud of it (can I get that in a T-shirt?).  If I could just go to school full time, I'd be in heaven (what's the rule about praying to win the lottery?)
     Life is good for me right now, and in a strange way I miss God's hot pursuit of me.  I miss wrestling with Him as he redirects and refines me.  In an odd way, I hope He comes after me again so I can once again get into that "sweet spot" with Him.  (Oh boy, did I just pray for a little internal drama?)
     One asset I've learned to have in living a life with God, is to have an open and inquisitive mind -- be ready for anything and when it shows up on your doorstep... don't act surprised.  (You knew it was coming.) And a newer lesson that I picked up this year, is to posture myself in thanksgiving.  I'm planning today to go and thank God for the beautiful beach that lies 10 minutes down the road!  My life is very rich and blessed.
     Pause, Ask, Thank, Worship.  Be open to being pursued, and when it comes--open the door!  SWEET!