What will change in your life following the shutdown?
The Coronavirus pandemic has provided an opportunity. Our lives in some senses have paused for the last several weeks. As much as this season has caused anxiety, worry, fear, and exhaustion, it has invited us to re-evaluate the way we live.
Squandering a pandemic means stubbornly or passively staying the same, rather than identifying key opportunities to grow. None of us would choose this experience to grow, but we cannot escape the particular aspects that cause us to reflect on what we value and cherish in our lives. Seasons like this allow us to step out of the daily grind to see the bigger picture.
Ephesians 5:15-16 says this, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Another way to reframe these verses would include the question, “What’s the wise decision?” Wisdom in a shutdown looks at our lives pre-shutdown and what could be post-shutdown.
I want to offer you a few questions you can ask yourself to make the most of this opportunity. You may want to take a piece of paper and pen to write your answers to these questions:
What will I stop doing?
The quarantine and shutdown paused several of our routines. Consider those things that feel like obligations or that you hold on to for various reasons. Perhaps, this season has brought you the chance to let them go.
What will I start doing?
You might have begun new routines. You take walks during the day; you started to exercise; you have read more; you spend more time with your family, etc. Make the space in your schedule now for these life-giving activities.
Who will I invest more time with?
Our circles got smaller during the shutdown. In some aspects, we reached out to people who we have not seen in years. Investing in relationships means strategically recognizing we can only go deeply with a few people.
What rhythms will change in my family?
Scroll your newsfeed on social media. You will see more families cooking together, playing games together, and going outside. Sure, the work-life-balance has become challenging. Hopefully, you have had fantastic moments with your family that could transcend beyond this season.
How will my relationships with my job change?
This question could have more positive than negative. Perhaps, you got more passionate about your work. On the other hand, you could notice a few patterns of working that could change. Engage your coworkers too on this question. You will identify ways to work better together.
What dreams and passions would you want to continue to pursue?
The monotony of everyday life procrastinates against the dreams and passions God gives us. A crisis can clarify those desires that God has placed in our hearts. Consider what it would like following the shutdown for you to take a next step.
What changes will you make following the shutdown? Share in the comment section below.
Photo by Brandon Lopez on Unsplash