Becoming Human—Again
Being human is a good thing. Here's why.
Moving is traumatic. It’s the normal chaos of moving that fills me with a sense of instability, but it is also the constant stress of too much to do and not enough time—times a billion.
Everything is undone. Everything feels like it will take an infinity amount of energy and time to bring to order.
And I just can’t do it.
This move is teaching me—again—that God is infinite and I am but a mere human. And that is a good thing.
It’s Good to be Human
In the garden, God chistled Adam (and Eve) to image Him on earth in ways like God—and in ways wholely unlike Him. Humans are like God in that we rule over creation, and we create things in ways no other creature on earth can (and there are other ways we are like God, too).
But humans are also wholey not like God. We have limited power in our rulership of the earth (we cannot make the rain fall or the mountains crumble); and we can only create from what God has created; we cannot create something from nothing like God does (Gensis 1:1).
Humans were created to be human—and it is good to be human.
God gave Adam and Eve an assignment: to take care of their plot of land, to steward and cultivate the portion God gave them. And if they did—from there, the whole world would be impacted through the generations to come.
God did not give Adam and Eve the whole world; God gave them their portion.
(Now, we will set aside the whole debacle of sin and being sent away from the garden for another day).
Right here I want to share my realization with you that I am experiencing in life-altering ways:
We were made to be human; we are not made to be infinite.
And it is good to be human.
Transformation Happens in Human Spaces
This move and the rise of AI is overwhelming my senses. “I can’t do all of this,” my brain tells me.
AI says, “More output is better. More agents working while you sleep. More content created. Greater impact, beyond what you could ever do alone.”
And although it has been my desire for as long as I know to “Change the world for Jesus,”—this move is reminding me that change, true change, happens right where I am; true impact is doing only that which the Lord give us to do in our finate place and time.
As in Gandalf’s words from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy:
“ it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.”
True transformation through the truths of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit happen where our skin touches the earth. Where our eyes look into the face of another human right in front of us. Where I hug my son, cook pot roast, and invite a friend over for coffee (in the middle of piled boxes).
God Calls Us to Finite Work
What is the people work God has put before you? Adam and Eve were to till their plot; we all have plot to till. Maybe it is caring for an aging parent or caring for a toddler (or both); giving your creative energy to your job or to blessing your neighbors by gardening the front of your house so they have something beautiful to look at out their living room window.
We have our portion of what God has given us to cultivate and the question is not, “How can I cultivate more?” The question is, “How can I be a faithful cultivator?”
For me, in this season, it look like being conciosuly present in the current choas to see the weeds and the wonder. The reality and the possibility.
And because of my unique season as our family church plants and settles—my writing is taking a shift.
New Writing Season
Since January I have shown up here (almost) everyday, writing daily devotions for my paid subsribers (thank you, subscribers!).
As I look ahead to the next few weeks and the Fall, my plot to till has increased in good ways—but ways that make it increasingly difficult to post daily.
So, for all subscriebrs, I will be posting one article a week for this next season about what I am thinking about as a follower of Jesus (from life, studies, and scripture). I hope these more topical articles bless your relationship with God.
For my paid subscribers, you will receive bonus content each week: one thoughtful devotion from my heart to yours—and continued access to the members hub on Substack, where I will be adding resources and mini-courses as time allows.
Thank you for being a faithful reader. I truely love encouraging you to know God’s Word, walk with God, and live with purpose.
From my heart to yours,
Seana
Your Turn
What does your plot to till look like in this season? What might faithfulness look like for you? What do you need to say yes to (and no to) to be faithful with your priorities?
Pray about this or anything else on your heart.
You can also use this prayer below.
Lord God, thank You for my life. For all that You have blessed me with to steward including the good and hard work I do every day. I ask, in Jesus’ name, that You show me what faithful stewardship looks like in this season and to help me embrace that being human is good—and finite. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Join the Launch Team!
LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 17 | More details to come.
July’s Lunch Table™
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE AS A STORY.
Whether you have been reading the Bible for years, or are just getting started, Kelley Maranto Mathews offers us help in HOW to read the Bible as a story.
This story changes everything.
REPLAY LINK HERE:
Here to help you live with a well soul,
