Why I Haven't Been Writing

Confession time

Long time readers of CrossTalk may have noticed something.

I haven’t been writing very much since we rang in the new year. At first, this was planned. January travels kept my keyboard at bay and - to be honest - I needed a break.

But then, this little break became a longer one, and as I soon realized I've not been writing as often as usual.

There are a few reasons for the extended nature of my break from CrossTalk but only one I think is most relevant.

Outflow of Abiding

Simply put, CrossTalk is the outflow of my personal apprenticeship to Jesus.

It’s the outflow of my abiding with him and looking around.

Which means that if I’m not doing much abiding….then I’m not doing much writing either. And I haven’t been abiding as regularly as I long to in the past few months.

The “cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” have entered in and distracted me (Mark 4:19). Other desires have been stronger and other needs felt more pressing. I’ve been abiding elsewhere and you are what you abide in.

Back to Basics

I share all of this because I know I’m not the only one.

We all fail to live in communion with Jesus.

We all tie our hearts to the wrong things.

We all find ourselves spiritually distracted.

None of us are immune.

It’s in these moments when it's most important to acknowledge our waywardness while simultaneously remembering the LORD is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 86:15).

We may drift away to choppy waters, but our heavenly Father longs to welcome us back to his safe harbor.

So, today, I’m going back to the basics.

I’m setting aside time to commune with the LORD, remembering his kindness and dwelling on his faithfulness. And I’m writing this post in the hopes that we’ll be back to our regular schedule.

LORD willing, I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks ✌️