Field guide · Crossings
Us with Godand Endings
Forecast: a quiet evening, the light going gold, with a few unexpected tears.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
Maybe God is taking this away because I didn’t do enough with it.
Over GodSheep that know the way
Plan the next chapter now so there’s no gap to feel.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
That was the good part of life, and God has stopped giving.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
If I’m not needed anymore, I don’t know what I’m for.
“Even to your old age… I am he.”
God told his people he had carried them since birth and would keep carrying them to gray hair (Isa 46:3–4). When the kids move out, the career closes, or a role we loved is handed on, the one who carried us is still the same. “There is a time for everything” (Eccl 3:1), and every time is a time he is with us. It’s okay to grieve what’s over. The psalmist asked to keep declaring God’s power to the next generation (Ps 71:18), so the story isn’t finished.
Where the Shepherd isHe is the same on both sides of the ending. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8).
Mark the ending on purpose with a meal, a walk, or a letter that thanks God for what that season held.
Lord, this part is over. Who are you to me now?
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- John the Baptist watched his crowds go to Jesus and said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).
- Paul knelt and prayed with the Ephesian elders as they said goodbye, and they all wept together (Acts 20:36–38).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing