Greetings to you in the wonderful, beautiful, healing, and powerful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Savior! What a sunny, bright Spring morning and what a delight to declare – “This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be at peace…enjoying each moment!” I trust that all is well with you and that God has been close to you in ways that made you smile. This week it seems like life has been on “fast-forward” with unplanned diversions and even getting our Covid19 vaccinations…even getting a few groceries seems to take more time. Today I am going to follow some good advice as I pray for us, asking Father…You told us to be still and to stop striving and running head of You, so help us to do so…and Jesus, You told us to come to you when we are tired, frazzled, and feeling exhausted so that we could find rest, so here we are-help us…and Holy Spirit, You come alongside of us as our helper and the one who prays when we don’t know what to say, so here we are breathless and speechless-help us!
So, here we are facing another lockdown and stay-at-home…and we really don’t like it and are grumbling just a bit!…or at least I was. All the protocols…masks. social distancing. attendance limitations, no singing out loud, hand washing, no social gathering…and as the Psalmist prayed – “How long, O Lord? How long?” For me, the bottom-line has been one of surrendering my will as part of my commitment to God…whether I liked it or not. However this week it has become more personal.
God reminded of a book that I haven’t thought of for some time now called…Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado. As the title suggest it is about Good Friday and all that Jesus endured. I sensed that God was challenging me to reflect on what Jesus did for me so that I could grumble about what I was doing for him. God very gently inquired of me…”if my Son would wear a crown of thorns for you…for six hours one Friday – could you, would you wear a mask, would you social distance, would you sing quietly behind your mask…to worship Him?” I reiterate that this was for me to ponder for me. I take solace in words that someone in the congregation shared…”This, too, has come to pass…so be patient.”
Have a great day and be blessed!