I just closed out week 5 in quarantine and truthfully, moral has been all over the place. Some days are filled with so much productivity, I don't even recognize myself and others are spent laying in my bed watching Netflix. I have to keep on reminding myself that both days are perfectly fine. These are unsettling and uncertain times. However you're coping is okay, listen to what your mind and body need. Everyone responds to change differently, no one way is better than the other. If you're anything like me, change tends to channel a response of panic and fear. Anxiety controls my thoughts, and change only seems to escalate it. However, this time, it's a little different. While I'm still living in a healthy fear of Covid and am taking the precautions seriously, I'm not at all overwhelmed by fear. I actually feel a lot of peace, I have never quite experienced such calmness in the midst of such chaos. I'm normally the one who rolls my eyes when someone tells me how good God is when I'm going through a hard time. It's not that I don't know and think it's true, normally it's just not what I want to hear. It's kind of like washing the dishes. I don't mind washing the dishes when I choose to do them, but as soon as my mom asks me to wash them I automatically get frustrated at the idea of doing them. Ya'll know what I'm talking about! In the middle of a storm, that's how I tend to be with Jesus. I am so grateful to have people in my life who point me back to him in the midst of trial, but sometimes I just want to discover him on my own. I'm sorry to say, but if you're like that in the middle of hardship, you're not going to be too happy with me! In the midst of this trial, I am seeing Jesus at work so clearly and I am here to tell you, He is good. I was reading through Philippians 1 this week and never in my life thought I would relate to Paul during this time. While writing to his closest Christian friends in Philippi, Paul is awaiting his trial in front of Caesar. He was put in prison for spreading the good news of Christ and has been there for quite some time now. He wrote this letter to his friends concerning his imprisonment and praising God for the opportunity. Paul is actually happy he's in prison. How weird! He's happy because he knows God is using this situation to advance the Gospel. People will come to know Christ through Paul's imprisonment. And while we're not actually in prison, I imagine it's pretty gruesome there, being on a stay at home order is the closet many of us will get. We're being locked in our homes to keep ourselves and others safe. Our normalcy has been taken from us so unexpectedly. When reading about Paul's praises to God during a challenging time, I was awe struck by his faith and honesty a little frustrated at myself for not being the same. He is filled with joy knowing that his circumstance will ultimately spread the news of Christ. I can't say I've been filled with joy throughout my time in quarantine, but I am certain God is up to something incredible! If nothing else, Paul is a great example of what unshakeable faith looks like and we could all learn a thing or two from him! Philippians 1 2 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I know times are tough. No one knows how to cope. Paul is a real example of Christ using imprisonment of all things for the advancement of the gospel. I firmly believe that Jesus is in every detail of Covid. I know that he has a plan and it is a good one. I know that he is using this to advance his name. There are people longing to know Him. Use this time. Use it to learn more about Him, use it to dig deep in scripture. Find ways to share the good news with those around you. Pray for one another. Our prayers produce strength and comfort. While the end of this virus may seem like the best news we could receive right now, God has already given us the greatest news we could ever receive. Strive to be like Paul. Find joy in the storm. God is using us. Be his vessel. Shine a light into the darkness that is the world right now. If I've learned anything throughout this is experience, it's that material things mean absolutely nothing. Jesus has literally taken almost everything from us and we are still yearning for more. Cars, clothes, nice hair, and pretty nails are nice and make us feel good but all of it means nothing right now. He is showing us that it never should matter as much as it has because when you take it all away, what's left? The important things are left: Jesus, family, and friends. I know I have not been prioritizing God nearly as much as I should and he is making that evident. It is no lie that times are tough and ya'll, we need Christ. Life is pointless without him. The amount of happiness I've lost since being inside is insane, and I realized it's because my priorities were not at all in the right order. I was placing my happiness in the things of this world, and we now know how it feels to have those things taken away. We have to lean into Christ because he is the only constant and firm foundation we have. Reprioritize your life. God is urging us to do so.
1 Comment
Mom
4/19/2020 08:39:42 am
This is so insightful! One of the things I miss most is people. Being able to hug my family that doesn’t live with us. I’m so grateful for you and Tan and dad that I get to be with on a daily basis. Love you sweet pea
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