Hunkering with Motion
Getting sloppy, lazy or depressed during the COVID-19 outbreak are just not options. Yes, I weep with those who weep and pray for solutions to manifest in every creative and sacrificial way possible. Yes, people should be reflective and circumspect in the face of suffering. But as a christian, I do not weep as “one who has no hope.”
Jesus has promised his followers incredible power and influence in this life and an eternity with Him as well. His promises haven’t diminished. He is currently saving, healing, delivering and prospering people at the same level He did before we all started hearing “pandemic” and “destroy the economy” 24/7. In short, God hasn’t changed.
So what has changed? Our perception. It is entirely possible to have great theology and lousy beliefs. I just can’t imagine God saying “There’s no cure for Covid-19” “The economy may never recover” “This is the new normal.”
With God ALL things are possible.
Yes, this is a time when we see clearly that life is fragile, death comes to all, and wealth, useful as it is, doesn’t guarantee life. So, to borrow the question, “How shall we live with the time we have?”
Since facing God to give an account for my life is something that may actually be less than 6 feet away my first priority is to make peace with God. You don’t need the guy with the clown hair wig and the John 3:16 sign reminding you to take action. Settle this. Stop putting it off.
Good job. Now, onwards.
Here’s just one promise of thousands that God has spoken over us.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! My past is past and my circumstances must bow their knee to my place in eternity. I am a new creation. I can stuff that, ignore that, have lousy beliefs about it, think my past defines me, wade through rotten experiences, etc. etc. But the minute I begin to believe that I’m a new creation, my life begins to change. In fact, the more I believe I’m a new creation (meditating on it, speaking it, choosing actions that are congruent with being new) the more my life changes.
So, since I AM good, I therefore DO good. It is my intention to take the hope proclaimed by the gospel and translate that into motion. I am going to suggest that we:
- Pray with real expectancy
- Speak hope. If you don’t have extreme hope in an area of your life it is an area where you’re believing a lie. Ask God to show you what truth you need to begin believing to have hope in that area. Truth is greater than facts or experiences. Truth will set you free.
- Take action. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, buy a motorcycle, get in shape, plan your next business venture, fix your marriage (or whatever) but put feet to what you’ve been putting off.
- Share your actions with others in whatever way you can and create ripples of hope
In closing, heard a good phase recently: “I’m not into positive thinking, I’m into Biblical optimism – Steve Backlund
Yeah. What he said.