Inspiration

Life looks different for us today than it did even a week ago. For the first time, our church service was held via live-stream, and we did not gather as a community in the traditional sense. Thanks to the current technology available to us, we were able to participate together online. We did not forsake the gathering of the saints, even if our “gathering” was virtual. Strange? Yes. Challenging? In some ways. Inspiring? Absolutely.

These are difficult and uncertain times. People everywhere are reevaluating priorities and learning to live with new limitations. Sickness and tragedy are likely outcomes for many. So why inspiring? Because the Church has an unprecedented opportunity in these days to be light in the darkness, ambassadors of Christ, Who is the hope of all.

We are not victims, and we do not have to be afraid. Jesus, our Lord, has conquered death and opened the door of His Father’s house to anyone who believes Him. That settles our eternal destiny, but how are we going to live here on planet earth until He calls us home or returns?

In times like these, we realize that we’ve thought we were more in control than we are. We are faced with the reality of a holy and almighty God and the humble estate of humanity. Inconceivably, He desires to befriend us, to love us, to adopt us into His family. And His promises give us hope. His Word is where we stand. It’s in His love that we live. It’s by His power that we accomplish His desire, His purpose.

Abide in Me, He says.

John 15:9-13 (NASB): “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

In these uncertain, somewhat terrifying times, He is still with us. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Will we be His own special people? Will we go where He sends us? Will we lay our lives down for one another? Or, will we isolate ourselves, seek our own interest and preservation? If we must be physically distant, let us determine to stay in society and community with one another. Be grateful for the technology that allows us to reach out to each other. Be intentional about using it. Be creative. Let us not be afraid to offer comfort, help and support to anyone in need. Above all, let’s abide in the One Who is capable of bringing us home and Who will give us everything we need to live in this present hour.

Father, I acknowledge my frailty. I commit my fears to You. You have said I don’t have to be afraid, and so I choose to believe that You have overcome the world. You have promised peace will guard my heart if I will pray about everything, ask for Your will to be done, and rejoice with thanksgiving. I know that many are hurting, Lord, and I ask that You would be near to comfort and to heal and to reveal Yourself. I pray that Your Church would bring You glory and that she would shine forth, radiant with Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Until next week, dear friends, stand on His promises, walk in His way, and urge others to be reconciled to Him.