I have totally judged the toilet paper hoarders.
I have raised my fist, scoffed in disgust, and ranted with the online crowd.
But, while my pious self was glaring down at the hoarders, it seemed a voice whispered to my heart:
“So, what are you learning from this?”
Folks, let’s be honest our fears and crazy coping mechanisms (which we all have) are showing themselves. And our precious facades we hide behind have been stripped off and are laying next to the stocked toilet paper pile.
Now hear me, I am in no way saying God caused this virus.
But I do believe our Father in Heaven is a good Father and has much He can teach us through this global crisis.
For one, I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s like the Lord has taken every voice, power, comfort, and safety we rely on and has put them in their proper place under His sovereign rule.
The self-help gurus with their feel good memes, they just aren’t quite cutting it.
The government that we are asking to hurry up and solve this whole mess, they are scratching their heads right along with us.
The YouTube videos, Instagram feeds, Facebook posts, which consume hours and hours of our lives, they are proving to be quite empty and boring after all.
The other thing that’s interesting, it’s like the playing field has been leveled.
Doesn’t matter how rich, smart, popular, famous, or how many likes you have on Instagram, we are all in this, and NONE of us can fix it. Because really, that’s what we want isn’t it?
Just fix it already Jesus! Heal our land so we can go back to our lives!
Lives of what though I ask you?
Lives of such hectic busyness we barely have time to breathe, or time for what truly matters?
Or shall I say WHO truly matters.
Oh yeah, it was always about loving God and others. I mean that was the two greatest things Jesus told us after all.
I was digging through the word and I wondered what did Jesus have to say about something so big that it is affecting every area of your life.
Hear these words from the Savior of the world. Tell me if any of this resonates with you:
Matthew 5: 1-9 (The Message Version)
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.”
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One who is most dear to you.”
“You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are–no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink and the best meal and drink you’ll ever have.”
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment you are “care-full,” you’ll find yourselves cared for.”
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world–your mind and heart–put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete and fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
I don’t know about you, but right about now my appetite for God is growing.
I’m also definitely feeling at the end of my rope. And as much as it is hurting my self- absorbed flesh, my spirit is saying:
“Thank you Father, I’ve been quite sick of me for some time.”
We are in a classroom right now my friends, I feel this deeply. And we can be teachable and humble, or we can be maniacs looking for answers we will never find.
We can either point fingers at others, or point them right back at ourselves and say
“Speak Lord your servant is listening.”
This morning I wept when I thought of me in my early twenties when I gave my life to Christ. Knowing Him and spending time with Him was everything to me.
I remember I would tell my family to let me be for a bit and I would go to my room and shut the door.
I would sit in my bed and talk to the Lord for hours. I’d read His word, confess my sin, and let Him clean out any area of my heart that was not pleasing to Him.
I didn’t have an agenda. I didn’t wonder if I would get any likes or comments for spending time with Him. I just wanted to be with my Best Friend.
Friends, I have no clue how this is going to end. I have no clue who will get sick or what our bank accounts will look like in six months. There’s so much that we don’t know.
There is only one thing I can honestly tell you I’m certain of.
Everything you and I need right now to get through this global crisis does not reside in an earthly power, plan, or person.
It begins in a place of our hearts which was meant for only one.
The One who is pursuing our fearful hearts right now. The One who is saying, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!”
The Savior who is saying, “I AM Your Hope. I AM Your PEACE. I AM what you are seeking.”
Coronavirus has taken a lot from us, but let us receive the greatest gift our Creator can give us through this:
Himself.
So may we get up and tell our families to let us be for a bit and go to our bedrooms and shut the door.
May we humble ourselves and pray and ask God to help us bear the fruit He desires to see in our lives through this.
Some day when reflecting back at this time in our country I pray we can say our lives were forever changed because we each personally did business with God.
My friends, I’m praying for all of us. For our world, our country, our families, and that we each will come out of this becoming more of who Our Heavenly Father created us to be.
Trust Him my friends. Fix your eyes on Him.
He is still The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
Love and safety to you and all those you hold dear,
Holly
Image source: canstockphoto.com
