It goes without saying that these are unprecedented times we are living in. Like me, you may have seen the following…
- Cruise ships pictured floating offshore in quarantine
- Store shelves depleted and empty
- The photos from Italy of overwhelmed doctors due to the rapid spreading of the Coronavirus
- Rush hour is eerily sparse due to the number of people working from home and schools on pause
- Even churches have moved to online worship gatherings and alternative ministry plans
This is a time when much is said about what is an appropriate level of response to the current pandemic. As I was praying this morning about my own issues regarding control and concern, the Lord reminded me of the Serenity Prayer.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Those first few lines are so telling. There is so much in this world I want to change. There is so much I see in other people which I want to change. If I am honest, there are even pieces of God’s will, as I see it, that I want to rearrange. Yet the only person, place, or thing I can truly change is me (with God’s power).
I cannot change is the current climate we find ourselves in.
I cannot change the calendar either.
However, I can request wisdom from the Father and even courageously cooperate in the reconstruction of my heart.
The truth of the matter is that pandemics are never timely and life adjustments are never convenient. We need the LORD’s presence and power now more than ever.
In Psalm 29:11 David writes,
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
During these uncertain times, may the church be seen as people trusting in the Lord’s strength and peace.
When it comes to health and wellness, let there be peace.
When it comes to economic stressors, let there be peace.
And when it comes to matters of faith and eternity, may we rest in He who is peace.
This did not surprise our God, for He is ever in control, not us.
So we trust.
Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay
