Defining Moments...

I am not the same person I was 5 years ago...I've changed.  I think I'm constantly changing.

Yesterday we Kayaked Buffalo Bayou from Memorial Park to downtown Houston.  It took 4 hours to kayak about 8 miles.  Occasionally there was a cool breeze but mostly it was a hot sticky day.  When we completed the trek, the owner of Buffalo Bayou Shuttles told us the bayou is constantly changing.  You never know when the bayou will be too shallow, or blocked by tree logs, or if there will be a current to carry you or not.  Unfortunately for us, our day had little or no current making for a lot of paddling to get us to our destination.  His point about the bayou is that it is not clearly defined.

This morning I was listening to a song by the Christian band Telecast:

O' Lord I want to lie down - So that You'll pick me up
I've been defined by being found - By Your perfect love
And so I'll pick up my cross - And follow hard after You
Your grace is more than enough - Please help me get through

Teach me to die - That You might live and reign inside
This heart of mine - Is Yours to keep
And Yours to define - Yours to define

I always knew God was the "designer" of my being but had not give much thought to the idea that God is also who "defines" who I am....and re-defines who I am.  

I've had a difficult time over the past few years keeping up with all of the changes rapidly coming at me.  My kids have flown the nest officially, I've  made a big career change and had a harder time adjusting than I thought I would, my church is not the same and on and on just driving home the point - my definition of who I am is changing.  And sometimes I feel stuck - like I just can't catch a current to carry me through.  It makes me want to be anywhere but where I am.

So, I googled "God defines" and found this scripture in 1 Corinthians 7:17 (the Message).  Paul is talking to the church about whether to marry or not but the words hit home to me in this paraphrase version for my current situation...

"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else.  Where you are right now is God's place for you.  Live and obey and love and believe right there.  God, not your marital status, [nor anything else for that matter] defines your life."

The Bayou trip - We made it!  I had a little help towards the end.  But it was such a unique experience that most Houstonians will never know.  It was worth the sweat and a few aching muscles.  It won't be the same journey tomorrow - with rains and run-off - the bayou will be re-defined.   And so will I.