Considering the current situation we are all in with this coronavirus pandemic, I’m going to suspend my blog writings on the adventures of Ecuador and turn to another topic, which has gripped our nation. It is an unusual situation for us, and it's a great time to reflect and evaluate our lives. I’ve been thinking about all of this isolation and not being able to do as I please.At first I was overcome with anxiety because my husband and I had to cancel our trip to the island of Turks and Caico’s which I have been really looking forward to. Living in the Northeast, February and March get a bit dreary. But after I saw how supportive the airlines were and my vacation hotel.I wasn’t quite as anxious.
Since I’m retired, I didn’t I feel a whole lot of difference in the beginning. But as time progressed, and more and more restrictions were imposed upon my life, I saw just how much I like the things that I do: meeting with friends, going out to dinner, taking in a movie, traveling abroad, going to art shows, going to church and meeting with people I love, Woman's Bible study, seeing my grandchildren and my family.
After a while, I began to see that I had fallen into a lifestyle of fulfilling my desires. Even though I love God, I love to pray and go to church and go to women’s Bible study, I like what I do very much. It’s not that God doesn’t want us to live a fulfilled life, He does. It’s just where do our priorities lie? Are we always thinking of our needs first? I have to say it took my daughter's words to have the realization that I have fallen into a more self-centered lifestyle in some areas. My priorities aren’t really wrong, they’re just a bit skewed.
You might be really anxious wondering about what will happen in the future. I am retired already, so I don’t have to worry about that. Yet I know that God wants to calm your fears, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ"( Philippians 4:6-7). That’s not just a platitude, that's a power packed promise. It's probably the best advice anyone could give you during this time. Sure we all have needs, desires and requests so we should bring them to the Lord, but first we need to be thankful for all the things that we have here in America.
We have access to good medicine, we have food,(now, no hoarding) we have ways to keep our house clean (but not our hands!). We don’t have a thatched roof or dirt floors, which is the way many people live in other countries. Believe me I’ve seen it. Most of them are happier than us because they have their priorities right. They focus on family, family gatherings, God, and thankfulness. And they appreciate the little things. Every mission trip I went on changed me. It taught me to appreciate what I have, help others in need and to give as much away as I can.
So what are some of the things you have learned during this time of isolation? Have you learn to trust God more? How do you spent your time? Do you spend more time with family members at home or watching tv? Have you spent more time reading the Bible and praying? God has exposed some areas in my life during this time. I used to be afraid of His Searchlight into my heart, but over the years, I've seen how necessary it is in order to become that precious diamond that he wants to make of you and me. Let Him reveal what is harmful to you and others. Bring it to him and let him deal with it. Confess it to Him and know that He forgives you.
The Lord has shown me that now is the time to pray, not self-centered I want prayers, but pray for mercy, wisdom and guidance: mercy that the virus won’t touch your household, and the plague will be stopped. Cry out for mercy for a nation who has flagrantly turned it’s back on God. Cry out for those who have disparaged God's name that they may repent. Cry out for a world who has made business and entertainment a higher priority. Pray for wisdom how to talk to other people, how to express your beliefs, how to love people with the love of God.
Pray for guidance in everything you do, day by day, step by step, your priorities, your pursuits, your use of money. Pray for right relationships with people that glorify my name. Pray against those who use people for their own pleasure in a pleasure driven society. Let the fires of the Holy Spirit purify you. Let that be one of your major spiritual goals during this time of isolation. Let God minister to you and magnify HIs Name in your prayers and studying the Word. Tell me what you think and post a comment. Praying that you are your family will be well.
No comments:
Post a Comment