How Did I Get Here?

Recently , for the first time I truly listened to the lyrics of the song ‘Slow Fade’ by Casting Crowns. It really hit me in that spot. ‘People never crumble in a day…It’s a slow fade’. This just started a churning in my heart and mind. Have you noticed the increased instances of people, families, marriages, even churches ‘crumbling’. It didn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow fade.

Reflecting on my times of ‘crumble’ – times when the bottom fell out and I tumbled flat on my face. It became obvious how I got there. I can identify the series of poor choices, decisions made from an unhealthy place, wanting to feed that stubborn part of me – the list goes on. I was not in the best of places. For me, most importantly , there was something out of place in my relationship with God. Sometimes it may have been that I wanted things more than I wanted God and His ways. Eventually, there was an implosion. Then comes the question: ‘How did I get here?’

Not long ago, someone shared with me that a family member came home and got the news that her marriage was over. She was shocked to say the least – didn’t see it coming. But, did she? The person went on to share what she had observed from the outside a long time ago. Lots of anger, outbursts, complaints over finances etc. Even though it was mentioned to the family member, she reasoned it away. Relationships don’t crumble in a day – it’s a slow fade.

Mark Hall of the Casting Crown puts it best. He commented, ” Imagine a man breaking down…First he’s walking, then standing, and eventually sitting, just slowly shutting down. He doesn’t crash suddenly…” This is the result of slowly moving away from that which keeps us centered. For the Christian, it is our relationship with Christ. It’s not religious activities and doing the churchy things. It’s being intentional everyday about where our minds go, who and what we allow into our space, choosing to forgive and let things go – allowing Christ into every nook and cranny of our lives. Listening to and following His leading is vital – we call that obedience.

So, have noticed a ‘slow fade’ in areas of your life recently? Even if you don’t claim to have a relationship with God – are you seeing parts of you or your village falling apart slowly? Are you in a ‘slow fade mode’? I am so grateful that God does the greatest interventions when He’s invited to. He knows how to take the remnants of fractured things and put them back together beautifully. He is good at interrupting those times of ‘slow fade’ if you’d like Him to.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him. [Isaiah 30:18}

***Thanks for reading – Check that slow fade…