Word of the Week - Peace in the Storm - Look for Good/Blessing - Week 4 COVID-19

“For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those that are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28

Throughout history God has allowed many calamities to occur even though He possesses the power and authority to prevent and/or stop them.  As we read scripture we begin to understand how God uses all sorts of challenges and adversities to do amazing work and miracles, especially within the hearts and lives of those who call Him Father (those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose, His children).  We don’t often understand how or why, but in hindsight we generally can see God at work doing great things within our lives during the most trying times.  I believe the key to receiving the blessing is to press in towards the Lord during times of trial and uncertainty and pray that He will show us what it is He is trying to teach us.  He is surely more interested in developing our godly character than He is in making us happy and comfortable.  I believe that the Lord mostly desires for all mankind to come into relationship with Himself and He will go to extreme measures to draw us to Him.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”. 2 Peter 3:9  But He also desires for us, the body of believers to become fully dependent upon Him as we walk through the trials of life so we can grow and mature to our full potential.  “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:4  So how is God using the COVID-19 pandemic to draw unbelievers to Him and the body of believers closer to Him so that we can grow to become mature and complete in Christ?  I think this is a good question we should be asking as we navigate this unprecedented time.  Here are a few ways it seems like God is using this circumstance to impact everyone:Our calendar / Time  – Over the past 3 weeks our lives and plans have essentially been put on pause.  Our busy calendars have been redirected to shelter in place / work from home.  Simple pleasures and freedoms to go out for dinner, fellowship or entertainment has pretty much gone away.  What might be the blessing in this?  “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15Our jobs / Economy -  After over a decade of growth and prosperity, almost overnight our entire economy has essentially been put on idle which has created havoc in the capital markets and caused the stock market to drop over 25% in less than a month.  There are millions of people losing their jobs and tremendous uncertainty about the future of business and our economy.  If we ever thought we as a people had control over these things we have just been humbled and brought to our knees by an invisible virus.  We must turn back to the Lord and recognize that He is our God and provider of all good things.  Are we depending on God as our provider or looking to something else?  “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.  Matthew 6:31-33Sports and Entertainment -  Pretty much all sporting events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.  Things like the college final four, The Masters, Wimbledon etc. Most recreational entertainment establishments have been shut down to include movie theatres, restaurants, country clubs etc.  All of the sudden these things that seemed to be so important to us are no longer available and we find ourselves with lots of time and energy that was typically consumed by these activities and pass times.  What are you doing with this time and energy?  Have you considered using it to grow in your relationship with God and others.  It might be that God is allowing these things (idols) to be removed to get our lives in proper order.  “Jesus replied; “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”Even though none of us would desire to be in this situation and we are praying for healing for all being affected by this terrible virus, I truly believe God is using this to do a great work in our nation, community, families and personal lives.  Let’s not miss the opportunity to seek the Lord and find what He has for each of us during this time.  He promises us that if we seek Him we will find Him if we seek Him with all of our heart.  We have the opportunity to experience the first 3 verses of Psalm 23 during this time:  “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul” Psalm 23:1-3Founders Data tracking tool for COVID-19 Cases: For your reference I have linked a recently updated version of our COVID-19 tracking tool.  I remain hopeful and optimistic that we are will see the wave crest and will be witnessing some positive trends over the next week or so, which will lead to our country stabilizing and moving to a recovery phase in the not too distant future.  I hope this encourages you to stay positive and trusting in the Lord as we continue to humble ourselves, pray and serve.“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”  2 Chronicles 7:14See encouragement from last week below on Keeping Perspective, Experiencing Peace, Making a Plan and Tapping God’s Power.Stay healthy and keep the faith…..-Duane