COVID-19 MAINTENANCE

Lives come with opportunities. We walk along our path, come to a fork and we must choose. Like Robert Frost do we choose the road less taken, or do we travel on the beaten path? When we come to doors, do we open 1, 2, or 3 or are they slammed in our faces and we must wait in the hallway for another door, or find the open window?

COVID-19 is a nuisance or an opportunity. What are you doing with your time? Have you ever considered that this slower pace may be God beckoning you: “Come spend time with me. Get to know me better.” Amos 4 talks about difficulties God sent to the nation of Israel so that they would come and return to Him. They did not. Will you?

It has been my prayer that this time of inconvenience, of fear, or of unrest will have a positive effect. I pray that the Spirit will move and make this crisis an opportunity to take time out from the chaos of too busy schedules and return to deeper time with God. We are stuck in our houses. Events are cancelled. Stores are closed. God has given us the time, and he desires to be our friend and spend time with each of us. You have an opportunity. Which path will you take?

“Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that the Lord gave you.” (Joshua 22:4) “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39).

Downton Abbey

We were loyal fans of the PBS series “Downton Abbey” and went to see the movie. We enjoyed all the inside jokes and humor, since we knew the characters well. I don’t think anyone who is not familiar with the series would enjoy the movie, or at least they would miss a lot. We were reminded of the huge class difference between the servants and aristocracy. Those who belonged to the “family” received so many privileges, and even commoners who married into the family were elevated in status. Yet the servants were doomed to a life of servitude, poverty and dependency on their masters.

As we drove home, we commented on this, glad that we didn’t live in such a society. Yet, we were reminded that in a way, we do. We have become born into God’s family and receive such privileges as joint-heirs with Jesus. As non-Jews, we were “grafted in”—commoners that became the same status as sons and daughters. The Bible tells us that all of God’s riches are ours! The difference with us and the people in the series is that anyone can choose to become a son or daughter of God—that is not prevented by where we were born or who our family is. When we accept Jesus, we are “born again” into God’s special family. What an incredible privilege! The law of the world no longer has mastery over us. We are accepted, loved and known intimately in all our idiosyncrasies. Let's be thankful that we are part of the family of God!

“God sent his Son, …to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18)

To Patricia

I tried to respond to your email, but it bounced back. I hope you look at my website again.

I am praying for you. God says, “Come unto me all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, and I will give rest to your soul. Remember that He loves you with an amazing love in spite of what you do, and does not hold you accountable for your mistakes and sins because of Jesus’ death on the cross which took that away. You are forgiven. He freely gives you grace (unearned favor) and you don’t have to work so hard to earn it. Also, in Jesus, you are a new person—the old has passed away and everything is new, so don’t dwell on your past regrets. Focus instead on Jesus and His love, grace and goodness. It is His business to transform you into that new person. All you have to do is submit to Him. Here are some scripture passages to look at: 1 John 1:9, Rm. 3:22-24, Rm. 5:5-11, Eph. 2:8,9, Psalm 103, and Psalm 139.

You are on the right track by wanting to seek God and a relationship with Him. He says that if you seek Him you will find Him if you seek with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13). So keep it up. Don’t focus on yourself and either your short comings or your good works, but look to Him. Spend time in His presence reading His word (lectio divina) and ask Him to speak to you through it. Spend time praying and being silent. Thank Him for what He has done and is doing. Praise Him for who He is. Learn about Him. Look around you and notice what He is doing in the world and in your life. Put your focus on Him, not what you want from Him. He will surprise you. He might not speak in words out loud or in your mind, but he may show you things and work in circumstances. Maybe a passage of scripture will “jump out at you,” or you will hear a song or sermon that speaks to you. This is God using that avenue to talk to you. Maybe you will experience supernatural calm and peace. Pay attention. As you get to know Him more, you will “hear” or “see” Him better.

I will continue to pray for you. Let me know how you are doing.

In His love,

Sue Roberts