This post first appeared on Seriously Write.
Change is in the wind. Everywhere around us, my husband and I are experiencing drastic shifts in our lives. I’m sure many of you can relate, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Two years ago, we uprooted from our home of almost twenty years and relocated across the country. Our new city is peopled by many millions. Before this, we mostly resided in small towns or cities of less than 250,000. This realigned our large family, turning every holiday upside down. There went our family traditions, thus provoking an identity crisis.
At Thanksgiving, my husband retired after being with the same employer for over forty years. This caused all sorts of upheaval, as it’s a major adjustment for him and thus, for me. It’s been a bumpy ride so far.
During all of this, I finished and then launched my fifth novel, based on my great-grandparents’ early lives during WW1. With the book’s completion, that depressing farewell to their world is now part of the emotional mix.
I’ve been feeling the angst of the 1970s song Dust in the Wind by Kerry Livgren of “Kansas.”
Now, don’t hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won’t another minute buy
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind
Everything is dust in the wind
[Dust in the Wind lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC]
If that sounds like something from Ecclesiastes, it’s because the song lyrics reflect what Solomon also experienced. Though he had everything, he realized that no matter what, he would still die, and all his work would amount to dust.
Cheerful, right? All of this has weaseled down into my heart.
As writers, our emotions and the spiritual place from which we process our work, our family, and our circumstances impact what we write and how we write it. I’m glad all this dust is settling during the holiday season, when all eyes are on Jesus.
No matter who we are, each year we discover that these holidays are different than the last. We march through life, and things change. Rather than despair as we reflect on what is altered, how much better to focus on the One who orders all our days. The holidays circle around him.
No matter who we are, each year we discover that these holidays are different than the last. Rather than despair as we reflect on what is altered, how much better to focus on the One who orders all our days. Click To TweetThese changes, this upheaval, these relocations, this volatile publishing industry, these constant marketing challenges, these changes in tradition, our days winding down—all are gifts from God, even if we don’t understand why or how.
“I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:10-13 NIV).
Though our bodies will one day be dust in the wind, our souls are eternal, and our life experiences are shaped by God specifically to draw us toward him, to mold us into the image of his Son, and to accomplish his purposes. This is all far more than dust in the wind, for we are blessed by this reality:
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27 NIV).
Though our bodies will one day be dust in the wind, our souls are eternal, and our life experiences are shaped by God specifically to draw us toward him. Click To TweetWith this awaiting us, we need not lament the loss of what once was. But rather, we can attach ever more securely to the One who inspires everything we do.
Fix your eyes on Jesus this holiday season, especially if life has been all sorts of messy. As always, he’s the reason we live and the reason we write. God bless you on your journey, dear writer!
About that newly published novel, here’s the information if you’re interested:
The Shadows Come, the sequel to No Longer Alone, launched November 25. Both are available here: http://bit.ly/MelindasBooks! Come read these stories written just for you!
Truly, fixing my eyes upon Jesus is the only way I can get through anything. He is my center, my calm in the storm. Thank God for our savior!
Same here, Jessica. So much of our lives seems pointless and confusing. We often never know the whys. Without my eyes on him, it’s a crash-and-burn scenario. Thank God for sending his Son!
Thank you, dear Melinda, for reminding me that even though our old bodies will end up as dust in the wind, our souls will never end because we’re going to be with Jesus.
Christmas blessings ~ Wendy Mac
That’s such a relief isn’t it! And in our own restored and made new flesh, we will see God, we ourselves and not another!
I just love this ‘attach ever more securely to the One who inspires everything we do.’ Thanks Melinda for the uplifting word in this busy holiday season!
What would we do without him, right! Thanks for commenting, Ava!
Some much-needed encouragement during dark, winter days. Even though it’s the Christmas season, it’s still easy to get lost in the seasonal depression depending on where you live. So pointing our eyes to the eternal is such an important discipline to hold onto this season! Thanks for the encouragement!
Some days (most days?) are just so difficult that I don’t know what I’d do without Christ. Constant reminders are needed so as not to get sucked into the current (never-ending, it seems) dark difficulty that blocks progress, productivity, and praise. I write the words that I need to hear, so I always know they’re words that others need too. Thanks for letting me know, Emily!
Big moves and retirement are both huge changes!! I feel ya in the same timeline in different ways. 2 years ago we lived somewhere else with one less kid and I wasn’t running a nonprofit either! It’s all exhausting at the least and there is loss… of the familiarity of our old place & friends… of the freedom I had with no baby/toddler to constantly chase after, and the nonprofit is a real beast to run (though I am so happy to do the actual work it was created for).
I think your post reminds me that even now – these very long trying days will one day be as vapor… just a whiff of a moment in time. I’m so grateful that we have this tether to Christ that we can count on – that we can securely deposit our hope & joy in. I just have to redirect my attention there again & again.
Christina, thank you for sharing your recent changes and challenges. We’re on the same page. I agree. So much upheaval, both blessings and challenges!
I love the phrase you used—“this tether to Christ.” That tether is a lifeline, a rein that directs us, and a leash that keeps us from wandering away. The need for him, the nearness of him, the precious intimacy with him, the understanding that only he can provide, the assurance that we are always his, no matter what, that he will never leave nor forsake us. We are so securely fastened to him that we can endure whatever life throws at us. No matter what happens to our bodies as we age and fall apart and face sickness and whatever life hurls at us, yet in our flesh we will see God, whole and fully alive to all he is. Your words encourage me greatly. Thank you for adding your thoughts to the conversation! God bless you, sister!
Your words are such an inspiration and comfort, Melinda! Those are huge changes you have undergone this year. Yet, it seems every year there is something new to grapple with, whether it’s a decline in health, the loss of a loved one, a change in ministry, a family change, the list goes on. So, this message is really timeless. I love these lines: “With this awaiting us, we need not lament the loss of what once was. But rather, we can attach ever more securely to the One who inspires everything we do. Fix your eyes on Jesus this holiday season, especially if life has been all sorts of messy. As always, he’s the reason we live and the reason we write.” In this very moment, I needed those words. May I not lament the past, but attach myself more firmly to Christ and the beauty that lies ahead. Bless you!
I’m so glad that the Lord inspired words that you needed to hear right now. Every time I write for other writers, I ask the Lord for inspiration. I know how tough this gig is! I wait until he moves my heart. Often he has me address exactly where I am as a writer, knowing that other writers are also struggling with the same issue. In essence, he has me write what my heart needs to hear in order to press on and to be encouraged. “All temptations are common to man,” but the Lord provides a way out, encouragement, reminders of truth, the calming effect of His Spirit as we remember that our lives are in our hands and that he works all things together for our good. He really does. We will hear the “well done, good and faithful servant.” We may be dust in the wind, but he will return. We, in our own restored and made new flesh, will see him again.