Skyline

Driving into work this morning, I had a beautiful view of the Minneapolis Skyline.

(This is not my picture...I can't photograph and drive at the same time.)

I was thinking about how the skyline of my life has changed, yet I'm still the same person. New York City's skyline changed dramatically on Sept 11, 2001...yet it's still the same city, sort of.

I've added marriage, children and career to my skyline. The smaller buildings don't get seen from a distance, but the large ones in my life are visible to anyone who takes a look. I'm still the same creature that God created me to be...but I'm not fully there yet. Still under construction, I suppose. That's good, I wouldn't want to think that I'm finished learning yet. So much of the world I just don't understand. My city seems to be sprawling as I grow older, adding friends and loved ones, and watching my children grow.

But, it's interesting to see how a change in the angle, the direction, how the same skyline at the same time of day can look completely different, from a different perspective. I suppose my life looks different to others who don't know me than to those that do. Do I look the same from any angle?

As we move towards the end of 2006, I'm reflecting on what this past year has brought, and how much road construction I see ahead for 2007. What will God bring this year? Will I have joy, sorrow, questions, answers, loneliness, prosperity, peace, love, patience, anger, hesitancy, resentment, humility?

Romans 8:17-25
17And we know we are going to get what's coming to us - an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! 18 That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. 19 The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. 20 Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in 21 until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

What do you bring me, oh Lord? What will the skyline look like from 2007?
I do anticipate good times ahead...but one never knows the path you have for us in this life, in this city. I'm thankful for the blessings You've delivered, and anticipating the things this life has yet to show me.

Bring it on! I'm ready.