God’s Perfect Timing
A pandemic smack dab in the middle of Lent! Uncanny, right? During lent believers are called upon to reflect, repent, and recognize God and His place in our lives. We’re encouraged to spend more time in God’s Word, and prayer. We give thanks during this season and recognize God’s provision in our lives as we prepare to celebrate the ultimate sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some forgo the option of Lent because of a disbelief in God and others because life’s distractions are allowed to get in the way. Yet here we are, stripped of many of those distractions. Things we tend to idolatrize such as our economy, sports, money, jobs, entertainment, and casinos, are unavailable to us. Our health and the health of our loved ones which we often take for granted is being threatened. Essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer have become a sought after commodity.
Countless people have been forced to stay home with their children with the shutting down of public and private school systems and daycare centers. Numerous families thrust together, holed up in their homes day after day and scores of families such as mine, separated due to quarantines and self-isolation/social distancing. We have no idea when this is going to end and what the long-lasting repercussions will be. For everyone, life as we know it has come to a screeching halt.
The dictionary definition of the word halt means; to bring or come to an abrupt stop. Demand or order a stop. Is it possible that God has demanded or ordered that we come to a complete stop of what we’re doing? Perhaps this coronavirus outbreak, it’s repercussions, and the battle against it that is ensuing is an incredible blessing, a gift from God.
A Gift Needs to be Opened.
There is no doubt in my mind that God in His love and mercy is giving us an opportunity to be blessed mightily through the crisis known as the Coronavirus Pandemic. But these opportunities can only be blessings if we embrace these opportunities put before us while we have the chance. What are a small few of these blessings and opportunities?
- Many parents now have more time with their children and vice versa. They now possess more precious time to love and hug them more and to teach them the love and forgiveness of God, to influence them toward Christ. Families may have more time to spend just being and connecting, not always doing.
- Many have more time and more reason than ever to reflect and pray about how we have been living our lives, our relationship with God and others.
- For families quarantined or self-isolating together, we have more opportunities for closeness, to practice patience and forgiveness and giving thanks that we can be together.
- For families who are separated due to quarantine and self-isolation, we are given a new appreciation for each other.
- We have an opportunity to appreciate all the things we have foolishly taken for granted and give thanks and praise to the One who has blessed us with those things.
- The realization of the fragility of life and our lack of control, which pushes us to seek God all the more. For some, it has pushed them to seek God for the first time.
- For the church, this is our time to shine! We have been given an enormous opportunity to give those who are anxious and fearful the reason for our hope which is Jesus Christ. Times like these are perfect for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Talk about open doors! God has flung the doors wide open!!
- This is also a great opportunity to obey the greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves by taking our focus off of ourselves and focus on others in need because it really is better to give than receive.
- For our divided government leaders, this is an occasion to stop the insane divisions, and disagreements and work together for the good of our nation and the world.
- This is a chance to realize that God is our true source of provision and security, not our government, economy or stocks and bank accounts.
- Most importantly, this is an opportunity to see the error of our ways as individuals, a nation, and as a world and repent!
What can you add to this list? More importantly, will you open these gifts?
God Brings Life Through Death
Some may wonder how this pandemic could ever be a gift when so many are dying. Many people have lost loved ones to this horrible virus. My heart and prayers go out to them. I cannot imagine their pain!
But our priorities and agendas often tend to be different than God’s. I believe that God’s number one priority in this crisis is for the salvation of souls. As 2 Peter 3:9 states, God does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to repent.
In our fallen nature, we have a pitiful habit of relegating God to the backseat when life is easing along to our satisfaction. For some, He’s not allowed in the car at all. It is when we are in pain and in desperate need that we begin to seek God, the God Who is our Provider, our Comforter, our Source of life.
Pain, heartache, despair, confusion, fear, uncertainty, loss; these are often the driving forces behind our desire to seek out God. For many of us, it may take death or the threat of death to cause us to seek the Giver of life. God uses death to bring many to life, specifically eternal life! God having to send His beloved Son Jesus Christ to die so that we might live is the perfect example. Only God can bring forth life through death.
Concern vs Worry
There are 2 lanes in the road ahead; the lane of concern and the lane of worry. Through prayer, Bible reading and time spent with God, I am striving to stay in the concerned lane. But the worry lane at times seems much more inviting. At first glance, it seems wider, easier, more comfortable. When I inspect it more closely, however, I can see the lane is thick with muck and mire, and that once I thrust my foot in there, like quicksand it will suck me down into its grasp, making it extremely difficult to near impossible to escape its grasp.
Let’s eagerly seek God’s comfort, assurance, and peace in all of this. Let’s endeavor to be concerned without fretting. We are commanded in Philippians 4:6,7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Why? Because God loves us and wants us to trust Him no matter what the circumstances. His desire is for us to have peace and He made NO exceptions for the situations in which we are to Trust Him.
This is by no means an easy journey we are on right now. God never promised us an easy time in this broken world. I struggle at times with what’s happening. Again, the worry lane can seem more inviting at times, but it’s not the lane God wants us to travel.
When things don’t make sense and we see pain and suffering all around us and on the road ahead, God’s children are strengthened and encouraged in remembering that their loving, merciful, all-knowing, all-encompassing God of the Bible that loves them, can make beauty from ashes, turn a mess into a message, and bring life through death. God is so good!
Special Prayers
**First responders, healthcare workers, supermarket employees, and others have been called upon to work longer hours, and have been taken away from their families. But as my husband likes to say, “God is a great multitasker.” He can bring forth good from the very worst and tragic of situations. He knows the needs of each and every person. He can bring forth blessings in their situations as well through their trust in Him. Let’s keep these brave men and women in our prayers!
One Little Candle 