Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1: 7 (NKJV)
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776.
Words we know are just as true today, as they were when written and read those many years ago.
These past few weeks we have been seemingly overwhelmed with the overriding uncertainty of the Coronavirus pandemic, or COVID-19.
Clouds of fear and doubt have shaken our faith, and we have felt out of control at times, wondering what’s next.
And the latest reports seem to indicate an increasing spread during this past week, and additional hot spots in major cities seem to be rising, with perhaps more yet to be identified.
So, what’s next?
When will this end?
How did this virus first develop, anyway?
I’m not sure. And I suppose you’re not either. No one seems to know yet.
So, what can we be sure of?
Certainly sports will begin again soon and schools will reopen shortly and church doors will always remain open, right?
No. No. No.
So then, what can we be sure of?
Well how about starting here.
How about taking a deep breath, and realizing that we have been here before, in times like this, haven’t we?
Confronted as a nation and world by something just as uncertain and overwhelming—simply now with a different name.
Also, how about this.
In the midst of this or whatever we face, we have a God who sees us, watches us, goes with us and never leaves us.
A God who is beside us, behind us, ahead of us and is above all that there is.
I can feel a deep breath coming on. Those are things of which we can always be sure.
The God of all creation is the One—no matter what we face—of whom we can always be sure.
And therefore, with God’s guidance and power, we will again press on together, not in fear, but in faith with a spirit of power.
Remembering, as we do, both individually and together as a nation as we have done before—that we will step into the fear we face, rise above all that is before us and move on to a better day.
All while embracing the words of the Apostle Paul for each of our lives—
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Amen and Amen!
In His Name–Scott
