First Baptist Church of Herndon

I've got nothing

Linda Soller | Jan 19, 2015

As we start a new year and try to get our plans in order we will usually find we either have lots of ideas and solutions floating around in our heads just waiting to be put in action, or we pause and think what’s next. We watch people get organized, clean closets, recycle, make appointments, while we sit and think, I should do that. But sitting and thinking seems to be as far as we get. We attend a departmental meeting to kick off the New Year or a planning meeting for a committee. Ideas and suggestions are actually being encouraged. We are told now is the time to speak up. Unfortunately we find ourselves sitting there and thinking, I’ve got nothing. Oddly enough we are certain it was just a matter of days or weeks in the past when we were filled with ideas and suggestions. We were ready to change the world, but that was then. Right now, right in this moment none of those things come to mind or seem relevant. We can’t even tell you why we feel this way.

For some of us it’s just the post-holiday letdown. During the holidays you complain about all you have to do, but you get it done. You run on adrenalin much of the time, and while it’s exhausting it can also be exciting. You never knew you could do so much in such a short span of time. Now it’s January. Today is a holiday, and yet, here you sit. You are deflated after weeks of floating on air. If you could step outside of yourself you would shake your head and say snap out of it, but you can’t, and so here you sit. Personally I think the “I’ve got nothing” phase is part of a natural recovery, unless it lasts for months or years and then you may be dealing with something altogether different. If you are like me and are a planner, then you can actually use this time to plan. I note all those things I see others doing, things I’m not doing, but think I may try down the road. That way I’m not totally wasting my time. Sometimes I misplace my lists and have to start again. Mostly I allow myself to go through it. I guess you could say I let myself wallow in the “I’ve got nothing” phase.

In my experience faith may go through these phases as well. For a time we are full of energy, engaged in the mission, enjoying the support and comfort of our faith. I envision God looking down and thinking any minute she will crash. As usual He is right. Over the years I’ve become good at looking like I remain on this fast track, but inside I know my faith is stretched out on the couch. One day I see the needs of others like glowing suns on the horizon, large and clear. The next day I look the sun is behind a cloud, and what I see is my reflection thinking about me not others. Weeks may go by when I feel like I know what God wants me to do and boy I’m doing it. Other days it’s a mystery. When it happens in life I truly feel our body and mind simply force us to rest. When it happens in faith I feel God is trying to help us listen. Be still and listen. It is a remarkable experience, if you can clear your mind of the clutter and listen to God. A few year back I mentioned that I loved yoga and enjoyed meditation. A friend looked at me like I was playing with the devil. I sincerely meant it, because being still and listening did not come naturally to me. Now I am starting to worry that being still is getting too easy, but I am still working on the listening. The New Year is the perfect time to stop telling God what you will do, should do, want to do, etc. It’s time to discover, while you aren’t bouncing around, what his plan is for you. So if you are in a post-holiday recovery period, and your faith is on the couch, let me give you a piece of advice. Pray to God for direction, tell Him you need Him, and then tell Him, “I’ve got nothing.”  Then, be still and listen.

Have great week!  :o)    Linda