Advent - Isaiah 26:3

This is reminding me of a blog post I've had in the queue for months autism-and-steadfast-faith which may never see the light of day but it ties in with this verse too well to not influence my reflection on it

A Firm Inclination

What is this? I had to open another translation to get the idea, consider the ESV:

I'm not going to attempt to explain any Hebrew in this one, I'm not fluent in it and this looks like more than a 1 word translation to me

So in observation "sa-muk ye-ser" is the man "whose mind is stayed on (Yahweh)" is "the man with a firm inclination"

So it's an attitude - an inclincation to trust in the Lord... I definitely want to avoid going down any theological paths about the order of salvation, but personally this is resonating deeply as I describe myself (as do others probably) as a man with a firm inclination to worship and follow Jesus.

For me, obviously the source of the "sa-muk ye-ser" is Yahweh himself, but the outpouring of his blessing of "a firm inclination" in me is in the form of autism I think... Through my make-up as a human, the traits that got me labeled autistic are also many of the ones that have led me to study and lay the foundation of my faith in Jesus by nothing other than his grace.

For a long time, biblical theology was my "special interest of autistic degrees", and although I'm not drowning in technical papers about Divine Council Theology at the moment, the seasons and experiences that were enabled/affected by being autistic have given me, by God's grace, a history of life to look back on and be encouraged through and have my present-day-faith strengthened by.

Advent

Today marks the second week of Advent - Peace.

Praise God for Isaiah 26:3 and honestly praise God for autism in my life. Through it he has protected and kept me. It's odd to think about but through the anxiety and turmoil of growing up undiagnosed (actually misdiagnosed - autism-adhd-and-the-doshas) autistic, to wrestle with how and why I seemed to experience reality differently than most of my friends and community, God brought me to a point of mostly steady peace about the things that happen in my life.

I've mentioned it in a few writings but right now I feel quite stressed out about some work-related situations that are outside my control... God's been, and is being, good. I both sense the peace of knowing that I don't have to worry about my life, as well as the anxiety present (somewhat rightfully) to make the decisions that bring the most glory to God.

I don't think "peace" means you can't feel anxiety, we live in the "already but not yet" so the dual-reality is completely expected. I feel blessed that even though I'm no stranger to the level of anxiety that can make you physically sick, I am also no stranger to an ever-present and quiet corner of my heart that God tends and keeps, strengthens and refreshes, and protects for the sake of his own glory. Amen.