God is still at work!
have been fielding several phone calls about this pandemic, life as it was, life as it is, and life as we want it to be. And, to be frank, I get it. Everything within my being wants us to go back to March 12th (the day before we canceled services) and watch God miraculously stop the pandemic and allow us to continue as we had planned. And man, did we have some fantastic plans (2-year celebration, 2 services).
But, that has all changed, and it creates frustration because the things we used to rely on are no longer reliable. It creates pain because of the experience of loss. It creates anxiety because we don't know how to move forward.
But there is one thing that I want you to consider-GOD IS STILL AT WORK!
It is in times like these that he shapes us, molds us, and helps us transition from what was to the new realities of what He has planned for us. This shaping is real on an individual level and a church level.
God is at work, and He has a very well defined and strategic plan to shape us amid this pandemic. Andrew Sullivan from New York Magazine said it this way, "Plagues destroy so much—but through the devastation, they can also rebuild and renew." I was listening to a podcast this morning, and Terry Walling said, "God uses transitions (times like this pandemic) to shape who we are, clarify our values, deepen our conviction and draw us closer to him."
I know what I just thought as I wrote that last sentence, "But it feels like the exact opposite. It feels like God is far away right now and very difficult to connect to."
But, maybe the issue isn't God. Perhaps it is me? Maybe God is close, and I am distant. Maybe God is inviting me in, and I am pouting in the corner because I am not getting what I want. Maybe God has something better, and He has removed the old so that we can experience the new He has planned. These are all postures that I can revert to if I am not careful!
But, there is one constant that has kept me focused and sane: God is at work. He is at work in our church and our individual lives. God wants to shape us, mold us, and equip us. He wants to humble us and make us dependent upon him. Why? Because when we are dependent upon God, He gives us a new perspective on what is significant, why we are here, and what he has planned for each of us. He can use times like this to give us purpose, and purpose is a crucial piece of His promise to propel us into the abundant life. And purpose from God keeps us connected to the heart of God.
The biggest obstacle we face is our ability to recognize His voice. In John 10:27-28 (NLT) Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me". Do I know his voice enough to hear and follow it? Well, if not, it can be developed! How?
Stop. We need to find time to be still and know that He is God. He is good. He is in control. He is present and speaking.
Surrender. We have to say yes to God. His way may not make sense, but it is best. We have to lay down our excuses, surrender our wants, and lean into God's design. When we live dependent upon God, we will be ok in the future. Why? Because we are with God!
So, what about you today? Do you recognize God's voice amid pandemic? If so, what is the King doing, saying, and inviting you to join Him in? If you answer yes and surrender to his plan, you will experience life and life to the full!