Disclaimer: I have never juggled snowballs.
Photo Credit: shenamt via Compfight cc
Sometimes I get a picture or a story, I believe from God, that needs to be prayerfully thought about.
I had one of those the other day.
I was juggling snowballs, and actually I was doing a pretty good job of it too, if I can modestly say for a non juggling Aucklander where it never snows. [pullquote]For me I want to surrender to the ambiance of God’s love flowing around my juggling snowballs.[/pullquote] Snowballs were flying high up into the air and I was enjoying the rhythm. I was having a party.
I, like you most likely, have a busy life. Snowballs symbolising all the various roles I have. Husband, Father, Pastor, Gardener, Trugmaker, Blogger etc.
Keeping all those balls flying requires a certain rhythm, almost a musicality to the movement. Round and round, up and down, flying high up into the air.
There is however a relationship going on here that enables me to juggle. Its unseen, unrecognised and possibly taken for granted.
The relationship between the snowball and the temperature of the air.
Ambient – relating to the immediate surroundings of something.
Ambiance – the atmosphere of a place
That which is unseen and out of our control does have an effect on us.
Scary thought isn’t it. Something beyond your control, manipulation and power, having an influence over you.
The snowball juggler surrenders to the ambient temperatures ability to hold it all together. The juggler can play, do tricks, have fun all because the atmosphere is perfect.
Just try this little exercise for a moment.
Imagine God thinking about you.
What do you assume God feels when you come to mind?
When I ask people to do this, a surprising number of people say that the first thing they assume God feels is disappointment. Others assume that God feels anger. In both cases, these people are convinced that it is their sin that catches God’s attention. I think they are wrong-and i think the consequences of such a view of God are enormous. David Benner
Honestly, deep down, at a raw emotional level what is the ambient temperature of God for you. Are you trying to appease an assumed angry God? If you are then you will never juggle with joy and spontaneity.
For me I want to surrender to the ambiance of God’s love flowing around my juggling snowballs.
Gravity may hold planets in orbit and nuclear force may hold the atom together, but only love has the power to transform persons.
Only love can soften a hard heart.
Only love can renew trust after it has been shattered.
Only love can inspire acts of genuine self-sacrifice.
Only love can free us from the tyrannizing effects of fear.
David Benner
What will it take for you to surrender more of yourself to that love?
Those who specialize in firm exhortation, think less of enjoying God as “Abba” and more of obeying him as a sergeant. Larry Crabb
Questions to consider and leave a comment.
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What is the ambient atmosphere surrounding your life? Fear? Love?
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What do you assume God feels when you come to mind?
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How do your assumptions about God affect you?
Barry Pearman
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2 thoughts on “On Juggling Snow Balls”
‘ The juggler can play, do tricks, have fun all because the atmosphere is perfect.’ I liked that line. usually when we think of juggling or spinning the plates of our lives it is not in the context of fun or enjoyment. may we all surrender to the ambiance of God’s love flowing around our juggling snowballs.
thanks Lois, may your atmosphere be full of Gods love flowing around you