Since
the beginning of the year we have been pressing forward in working on our
vision, goals and organizational tasks. The Lord began leading us in a lesson to “Finish What You Started.”
Like
many of you, I was excited about how much I was accomplishing. Then suddenly it all came to a stop and no
one had control over anything.
A
global pandemic was declared, and changed the way we went about normal
life. Freedom has taken on a totally
different meaning, causing us to step back and do a reality check leaving more
questions unanswered.
Is
there a glimmer of hope in any of this? Will
we ever see our dreams and vision fulfilled?
How can I help someone else when I don’t have any answers myself?
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God,
What’s Happening?
For
months most people have been under self-isolation of some kind, while others
have risked their lives caring for the sick or carrying out tasks to help the
rest of us stay safe.
In
the beginning, people panicked and didn’t know what to do, so they did the next
best thing – treat this time as a gift, or vacation. For now, spiritual improvement was placed on
the back burner and the old honey-do list quickly came out of moth balls.
Social
media began boasting photos and videos of people cleaning, painting,
redecorating and catching up on their to-do lists. They’re pleased with the “free” time to do
some things that otherwise would still be scrolling through their brain of
unmet goals.
A
few musically inclined have given free online concerts, my brother included, to
bring a little enjoyment into a less than ideal situation. Others have taken their instruments to the
streets and entertained the neighborhood taking requests of old favorites as
they strum away at the acceptable six-foot distance. These have turned out to be blessings for
both sides of the camera.
Families
are reconnecting and actually spending time with one another. They’re playing games, learning new
languages, cooking, taking courses or doing projects … and get this … they’re
doing it together!
People
are being forced to put down their phones and literally talk face-to-face! What a concept!
Although
those things aren’t wrong, are they what we should be focusing on mainly during
this time of opportunity from the Lord?
After all, haven’t we prayed for the chance to get caught-up on the
things that have piled up from lack of time to do them? Now that we have time we desperately longed
for, what’s the big deal?
God
is up to something and I can pretty much say this with confidence. Crossing “paint the porch” off your to-do
list probably isn’t what He has in mind while the rest of the world is
literally being ripped apart emotionally, physically, financially, socially and
most of all, spiritually.
Unusual
Mourning
About
four years ago I wrote an article on mourning, but not in the typical way that
you may think as in the loss of a life.
It centered on learning how to grieve over the loss of something
physical, in that instance it was a house and property but it could be
practically anything that causes pain of some kind.
The
Lord reminded me of that writing piece and what individuals are going through
at this current time … “unusual mourning”.
People are hurting in ways they never dealt with in the past.
Families
are going through hard times with the corona virus. The reality is that many have lost their job,
income, homes or loved ones. Businesses
have closed and the future seems unsure.
Daily
news continually reminds us of all the horrible things that are happening
globally, and even though people are praying, frankly some are glad it isn’t
them. There’s a problem with that
thinking - no one is exempt from fighting an invisible war, and all the money
in the world can’t buy anyone out of it.
Unlike humanity, sickness is no respecter of persons.
Embracing
the Moment - Where Is the Joy?
On
the whole, a huge problem is that people don’t realize their anxiety, fear,
suffering and pain are part of the grieving process over the loss of something
precious or special to them. Life got
out of their control throwing this tragic curve ball, and many are wondering
what else can happen.
How
are you embracing this pandemic moment in history? Are you feeling stripped of all security and
terrified that another disaster might strike again at any time destroying
what’s left of your life?
Maybe
you’re soaking it all in with the reality of living life to its fullest now
while you can. Have you come to appreciate
the important things? Perhaps the simple things in life are bringing you
enjoyment, and you’re basically happier to have had this experience.
Depending
on how you are “wired” by God in personality and factoring in your attitude,
the response will vary from one situation to another. Not everyone is going to consider it an endurance
opportunity to “count it all joy” so their faith can grow as James (the brother
of Jesus Christ) says.
“My
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.” (James
1:2-3 NKJV)
According
to that passage, we’re supposed to profit from our trials and think of them joyfully
as a perfecting from the Lord. To quote
a friend, “That ain’t gonna happen.”
I
don’t blame people; holding on to a particular passage in the Bible can be
difficult when we get distracted by what is happening in life. Anyone who is alive at this time hasn’t known
anything like what’s going on in the world.
They’re struggling to make sense of things all the while trying to
figure out what to do, and where to find answers for something that has never
been faced on this level.
Taking
Back Life
Living
and life has changed. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. We were created by God to be interactive
beings and connected to one another.
This separation from loved ones and friends has caught us off
guard.
While
some are squirreled away in their homes safely, others are passing away and not
just from the virus. Who is with those
transitioning from this life into the next so that they are not alone?
Families
have come to rely on health personnel to walk their loved ones through the
leaving process, taking on emotional responsibilities over and above the call
of duty. Although there is comfort
knowing those we love are not alone, there is a lack of closure with the
feeling of being cheated out of the opportunity of holding a hand gently as you
say goodbye.
We
have come to appreciate electronic equipment that allows us to see a beloved by
phone, Facebook, Zoom or other devices that are available in this day and age. When they don’t engage, we feel even more
alone, rejected and cut off from the world.
For
the first time in history not only more internet weddings are experienced, but burials
are being delayed due to a contagious virus.
Funerals are being held on Zoom along with virtual farewells, replacing
a physical embrace when sharing the burden of sorrow.
We
can understand this kind of grieving, but it never crossed our minds that other
things in life could be just as devastating.
We’re about to see what that looks like very soon as the economy slowly reopens
and tries to take back life.
A
Cry for Mercy
Are
we prepared to be a Light for Jesus when people begin to take back life as it
once was and they discover that life is now gone? This is what I’ve been asking the Lord in my
prayer life. How can I help people from where I am?
People
are afraid and handle situations differently as they grieve in their own
way. Their outlook on life is bleak where
all they can see is darkness causing sadness, depression and emotional or physical
pain.
No
one bargained on needing to take a life course on grieving or overcoming fear
of the future. The world cries for
mercy, but their false gods don’t answer or relieve their suffering.
In
order for believer’s to be a Light of Hope to those around us, we need to know
what scriptures say to do. Being a help
to someone isn’t always about having the right answers, but knowing that God does.
The
first step is to bring all concerns to the Throne of God in prayer, knowing
that He listens and will give the answers at the right time. We have to practice what we tell others in
praying about everything and worrying about nothing. If we don’t put our faith and trust in God
completely, others will know it and we’ll never be a beacon of hope they need.
“Don’t
worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all
He has done. Then you will experience God’s
peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your
hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I’d
like to relay the same message as the Apostle Paul in helping you to keep your
mind at rest when tests and trials overtake your thoughts. As we experience changes from the normal and
even more challenges, its vital that our focus is on God’s ability to work
things out for our favor. Only through
this practice will we receive the peace of God despite what other’s are
experiencing.
“And
now, dear brothers and sister, one final thing.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure,
and lovely, and admirable. Think about
things that are excellent and worthy of praise (as in Christ and how He’s
working things out for good).
Keep
putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you
heard from me and saw me doing. Then the
God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9 NLT)
This
Week’s Challenge:
Be
the Light that Leads to Hope
Like
many of you, for months I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer interceding for
people and situations that are happening all over this planet. How do you tell people that things are going to get better when it's a climb to get over some challenges?
Who has the stamina to keep getting up when being continually let down? To be truthful, it would be easy to fall in
line with worldly thinking and succumb to the overwhelming fear of despair if I
didn’t have the precious Word of God as my hope base.
My
hope is founded on what God says about me and my life as a follower of Christ; but
what about those who don’t believe in God or follow the principles of Christian living? What can I do that other people
aren’t doing for them that will give them peace for a better future?
We
need to take an inventory of what we have learned from this pandemic that has
redesigned the way we live life, literally changing or attempting to destroy
biblical history. How do we show Jesus
to people when we’re going through the same things? By being children of Light (of God), we can shine Light on the pathway to hope, and where Light is, so is Hope!
Here are three ways to “be” a light of hope
to others as we put our trust in God for our own outcome.
1
– Be encouraging. To help relieve
anxiety and fear, encourage people not to withhold their feelings and properly
voice what they are experiencing, especially emotionally, to wise biblical
counsel.
Things have changed dramatically and we need to be patient with others as they process
all the new changes that will have to be made in every area of their lives. Let them know that you understand what they
are experiencing, and how your hope for a better tomorrow is based on God’s Word
and promises.
“Listen
to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the
wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that
prevails.” (Proverbs 19:20-21)
Give this word of encouragement for those whose hope is in the Lord.
"God
understands and will bless the righteous.
He gives favor to the humble and oppressed who keep His commands.
The
LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the
righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows
favor to the humble and oppressed. The
wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.” (from Proverbs 3:33-35 NLT)
Remind people how God rewards faithfulness with His favor when we honor Him by keeping
His commands.
“Do
not forgot my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will
prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in
the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:1-4 NLT)
2 – Be honest. When you don’t have the answers direct people to the One Who does – Jesus. Let them know that all hope and salvation favor can be found in Him, so we need not be afraid of what the future may bring.
“For
I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah
29:11)
Share
this passage of hope with them as to why you have such confidence in believing
the way you do.
“This
is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough
food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Look
at the birds. They don’t plant or
harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t
you far more valuable to Him than they are?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And
why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they
grow. They don’t work or make their own
clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And
if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into
the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So,
don’t worry about these things, saying, what will we eat, drink or wear? These things dominate the thoughts of
unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Seek
the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you
everything you need. Don’t worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (from Matthew
6:25-34 NLT)
3
– Be hopeful. Assure others that
although doors and opportunities may have closed, there are better ones coming
because the hope of God’s favor is available to those who diligently seek Him. Help them realize that today can be the day their comeback begins by placing trust in the Lord.
“Yet
what we suffer now is nothing compared to the future glory God will reveal to
us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will
reveal who His children really are.
We
wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His
adopted children, including new bodies as He promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved.”
(from Romans 8:18-25 NLT)
When
the time is right, God will open those closed doors to those who remain
faithful and trust Him. Tell them your
hope is in the promise of God, not in what the government may or may not do.
“For
the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good
thing does He withhold from those whose walk (lifestyle) is blameless.” (Psalm
84:11)
Be encouraging. Be honest. Be hopeful.
Lastly,
remember our main focus is to be good stewards for Christ, by not squandering
away the opportunities and lessons God has set before us during this time of
crisis. This includes working on your God given vision, which doesn’t exclude leading
others to Him, but is actually the reason for it.
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)
One
day the Lord will ask what we did with the time He gave us in being a light that
leads to hope for the lost. How will you
answer?
“Remember
me, LORD, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save
them.” (Psalm 106:4)
Hope Blooms Eternal (New Gospel Song
April 2020)
Lyrics by Kumalawaty Sundari
Set to the Music Morning Has Broken
Until next time, be a light of hope and receive favor!
“I will show favor to the humble and oppressed.”
- Jesus Christ
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used a
treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s
New This Week: Click on links below.
When It Feels Like the
Sky Is Falling:
How to Find Hope in an Uncertain World
by H. Norman Wright
Available in Paperback or eBook and Spanish
Buy it on Amazon or Christian Book
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Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible
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Note:
When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because
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