These Times…
I really just want a quick fix. Snap of the fingers back to normal. You know…how it was just a month or so ago.
We Americans can now see just how dear freedom is. For this small taste of restraint, of lack, of uncertainty is working its way through communities and across our land. And different hearts and souls are having to face the what ifs? What if things don’t go back to the way they were – soon, in a few months, ever?
Truly questioning can I rest in that – can you? Here’s what we need to cling to: “Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 CEV)
But how to embrace these times? One day at a time.
About 2,000 years ago a man named Paul wrote some good advice: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1Corinthians 16:13 NIV)
Why on guard? Because now when we’re anxious or unsure, the enemy will tempt and mislead. Stand firm in the faith? Call on Him hour by hour, don’t doubt just cling. Be courageous? In the face of the unknown, of the hard, of the what if – only the courage of Jesus in our hearts. Be strong? Unmovable in our faith, unshakable in our hope. All this is possible only in light of eternity.
Paul finishes his thought in verse 14 “Do everything in love.” Hard times or uncertainties can turn us inward, make us deaf and blind to others. Everything in this verse means: everything.
Whatever the day holds, whether it looks a whole lot like normal or has no semblance of it at all; whatever we find ourselves in the midst of, let His love for us – and in us – be the approach we take. A whole lot more love is needed right now. God never runs out of that precious commodity. And because He doesn’t, we don’t have to either. These times – they call us to how we needed to be living all along – more grace, more mercy, more love. There is freedom in these – freedom that knows no quarantine.
parisrenae 
I hope things don’t go back to the way they were otherwise we’ve missed the point of it all. Sure we want kids to go back to school, stores/places of employment to reopen, and places of worship available for services, however, I hope this pandemic has forced us to shift how we be in the world. How we live, move, and have our being. What really matters? What no longer matters? I believe God wants to do a new thing in us and in the world.
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Yes, you are so right about that – we need to perceive His message to our hearts and turn from our wicked ways so He can heal our land. We can’t afford to not heed this wake-up call. So, though I long for some pre-covid things, I long more for a great harvest for the Kingdom. Blessings as you stand strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…
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Love is still the guiding principle. So glad God never runs out so we can’t run out.
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So true, His abundance fills us up over and over – blessings as you flow over with His love to others…
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