Warning Lights

Recently, I started my car, and a light flashed on to let me know it was time to fill up the gas tank.  The next day, when I drove my car, a light lit up to tell me I needed air in the tires.  The day after that, my car started beeping because my windshield washer fluid was low.  I found myself alone in my car, laughing, wondering what would be next.  

I stopped to fill up the gas the same day my light came on, and I did the same with fixing the tire pressure.  But when the windshield washer noise started, I ignored it for a while.  It was only beeping occasionally, and there was still fluid coming out when I cleaned the windows.  

For at least a week, while I was driving around, my car would sporadically beep at me, and I would ignore it, meaning to fill up the windshield washer fluid when I got home but always forgetting.  Then on Sunday, we were driving to Church, and the beeping became out of control.  It seemed like every minute of the drive it was going off.  It felt like it was shouting - Why are you ignoring me?  If I beep more will you listen?  Hello?  I am empty, please, help me!!

You better believe, that as soon as we got home, my husband found some washer fluid in the garage and took care of the issue.  No more beeping! 

I found myself thinking man, I wish I had warning lights that would flash when I need to tend to something in my body, mind, or spirit.  And then, I realized I do!   Sometimes we think things happen to us out of the blue, with no warning, and of course, there are tragedies and emergencies that are unexpected, and that catch us by surprise, but often there is a steady beeping happening in the background that needs to be addressed.  And if we don’t recognize it, or if we choose to ignore it, it will just keep getting louder until we are forced to do something about it.  

This week, before we dive into our first formation practice next week, I want to invite you to check in with yourself and see what warning signs you might be noticing that need to be addressed.  

Are you experiencing anger?  

Are you weary? 

Are you lonely? 

Are things at work more difficult than usual? 

Have you experienced any loss that you haven’t made time to process? 

How are your emotions?  

Do you have any unanswered questions?  

Are you frustrated about something in your faith journey right now? 

Do you have pain in your body? 

Do you feel anxious? 

Are you ignoring something you know you need to address? 

These are just some questions that come to mind, but I encourage you to ask yourself whatever questions apply to what you’ve been experiencing.  I also encourage you to take time to pray and see what other things pop up that need to be addressed.  Make a list of whatever you think of, nothing is too small, and work through each item considering what you need to do to address it.  Maybe, you need to schedule an appointment with a counselor.  Maybe, you need to see a doctor.  Maybe, you need to meet up with a friend and have coffee.  Maybe, you need to find a quiet spot to be with Jesus.  

When we break a bone, we get immediate care.  When we get the flu, we have to stay home and rest.  Situations that require immediate attention don’t usually get put off.  But, when things are less urgent we often try to push them aside.

Maybe you have a hangnail.  It starts small, but if left unattended it can lead to infection and if really bad, even surgery.  This can happen in our spiritual life too.  Maybe, for some reason, you are experiencing anger with God.  Maybe you think that being angry with God is unacceptable and so you keep pretending you are fine, but you aren’t fine.  So, every day your anger grows, and every day you keep going hoping it will just go away.  But it doesn’t go away.  It just keeps rooting deeper.  At some point, that anger will come out sideways.  You might have been protecting that anger for so long that now you feel disconnected from God, and you’re not sure what to do.  Your warning light is shouting at you - please help me!!  Who can you talk to?  Where can you ask the questions you need to ask?  

Our body, mind, and spirit give us warning signs every day.  Little reminders to notice what is happening and make adjustments as necessary.  The question is, are we paying attention?  When we pay attention to the warning signs and are willing to be vulnerable to address those issues we will discover that often we can prevent reaching the point where the warning light is shouting at us, demanding urgent action.  

~ Melissa