First of all, I’m sorry I missed the session and the chance to start getting to know everyone. I’m looking forward to officially meeting you all and catching up!
The primary emotion I felt while watching the session recording was hope. Honestly, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately—as I’m sure many of us are. My team is down two people at work, so I’m juggling multiple roles while trying to hire, barely staying afloat. On top of that, the news cycle feels disorienting and confusing. I struggle to find spaces where deeper, more nuanced, and informed discussions happen. To be honest, I probably just need to read less news.
This morning, watching the session and writing this response were on my to-do list, but I was tempted to dive straight into my overwhelming workload. That’s the lane I’ve been in lately, and it’s where my momentum naturally pulls me. But I felt the Lord gently encourage me to set that aside for a bit and start with this—perhaps as an exercise in trust. So I did, and I’m so glad!
Watching this week’s session was a breath of fresh air on many levels. I was deeply grateful for Ruth’s perspective and wisdom, which fostered a much more thoughtful and nuanced discussion. I also appreciated the opportunity to step away from the urgency of my tasks and gain some much-needed perspective. It makes me excited for what’s to come! I know it won’t always be comfortable, but I trust it will be good.
7 comments
Nate, I appreciate your authenticity in sharing where you’re at and all you’re holding at this time. I too struggle seeing the news and knowing how to juggle all that I have on my plate. May God lead us to find healthy rhythms of engagement, rest, lament, and restoration.
Nate, I am glad to be in this cohort with you! I can relate in this season of overwhelm being a fellow higher education employee….phew!!! I appreciate the reminder to step away from the overwhelm and let the Lord reveal to us what ought be revealed. Let’s always listen for that still small voice that may have something mighty to say to us!
Me too Justin! I was excited to see some other higher ed folks! That’s a good word about listening for the still small voice!
Nate, for me, the title of your post says it all! Yes, I am overwhelmed by all that we are all dealing with in the current moment/season/era. But none of us seem to have the option of removing ourselves from all of it (at least not in any healthy, functional way). So, if we are going to live in and navigate in the overwhelm, at least there is a measure of hope to be found in this and other like-minded communities that we can involve ourselves in. We can encourage one another to have these hope-filled relationships built into our lives!
Thanks Kassandra, I totally agree! I’m already encouraged by being in this group/program!
Hi Nate!
I think we are in the same break out group and so I look forward to getting to process together what it means to be peacemakers in each of our respective places.
I resonate both with your feeling of overwhelm and with hope! I too appreciate the nuanced nature that Ruth brought to the discussion. I think it is in the nuance that we find ways to move forward.
Thanks for sharing this reflection!
-Claire
Thanks Claire! I look forward to getting to know you too!