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Walk Carefully – The Formed Future · Still, Here

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: This is still here.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: A quiet moment to remember what is true.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: Listen to these words from the book of Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15 through 17.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Therefore,
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: watch carefully how you walk,
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: Therefore, don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Paul does not tell us to run frantically into difficult days.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: He does not tell us to freeze until everything becomes clear.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: He says to walk carefully.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: There is steadiness in that image.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Careful walking is not fearful walking.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: It is not timid or passive.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: It means paying attention to where you are,
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: what is in front of you, and what the next faithful step requires.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: When life feels unstable, many of us move toward one of two extremes.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Panic says, I have to do everything now.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: I have to stay ahead.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: I need an answer before the question has even arrived.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: If I stop moving, something will catch me.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: Passivity says, this is too much.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: I cannot do anything.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: I will wait, numb out, avoid the decision, or let circumstances make it for me.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: Paul gives us another way.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: Walk carefully.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: You do not have to solve the whole future.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: You do not have to inhabit the part of life God has placed in front of you.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Paul calls this redeeming the time.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: That phrase can sound like a demand to make every minute productive.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Get more done.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Waste less time.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: Squeeze one more value from the day.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: But that would only baptize hurry.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Redeeming the time is closer to inhabiting the time faithfully.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Receiving this day as a place where God can be known, loved, obeyed, and served.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: Paying attention enough to recognize what belongs to this moment and what does not.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes careful walking means acting.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: Send the message.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: Make the call.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: Ask the question.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Begin the work.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it means waiting.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Do not answer yet.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Pray.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: Listen.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: Get more information.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: Let urgency settle before making a decision.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes careful walking means resting because forcing yourself forward would not be wisdom.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: The point is not speed.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: The point is faithfulness.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: We have spent these first days at a threshold.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: We have talked about the waves that can toss us around.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: We have remembered that we are not formed alone.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: We have begun to notice the pressure of the age.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: We have seen that the future begins in practice.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Now Paul gives us a way to move.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: Walk carefully.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: We do not know everything that is coming.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: We do not control every change in technology, work, the economy, society, or culture.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: But uncertainty does not make us helpless.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: Christ is forming us.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: The body strengthens us.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: The spirit renews our minds.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: The new self can be practiced.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Wisdom can be received.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: So, think of one place where you feel tempted either to rush or to shut down.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: What would panic do there?
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: What would passivity do?
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: Then ask a quieter question.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: What would careful walking look like?
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: You may only see one step.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: One step is enough for walking.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Take a moment for this prayer of presence.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: Lord Jesus, teach me to walk carefully.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: Keep me from panic when the days feel urgent and from passivity when they feel overwhelming.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Give me wisdom for the time you have entrusted to me.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: Help me recognize the next faithful step and take it with courage, attention and peace.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: Form me for faithful participation in the days ahead, one step at a time.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: As you move on to what comes next, carry this prayer with you.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: I am not panicked or passive.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: Teach me to walk carefully.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: I am not panicked or passive.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: Teach me to walk carefully.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: I am not panic or passive.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Teach me to walk carefully.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: I am not panic or passive.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: Teach me to walk carefully.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: If you would like to go deeper The written reflections
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: and other resources are available at powerloveandmiracles.com.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, stay steady, stay open, stay present.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: You are still here.