Life sure has gotten crazy the past few weeks/months. In a blink of an eye we have gone from normal life to everything on hold, waiting for a virus to pass. I look around and see so much fear and so much uncertainty. It hits people in different ways but so many, including myself, are struggleing to adapt to the changing realities.
Personally I have struggled with seeing our ministry plans fall apart. The trips we had planned and the visits we had hoped to make. Everything that was so carefully planned out for months in advance is crumbling before my eyes. I am now living from day to day, unsure of what restricitions will come each day and what I will be able to accomplish. Others I know are struggling with the isoloation that comes with quanitine, others with the fear of what changes a virus could have on their health and family, others with the finanical impact this will have on their future, others with a loss of control over what they can and can’t do and these are just a few that come to mind.
As a leadership team we are struggleing to figure out the balance of responding in a way the is responsible but also that is not adding to the fear and struggles that many of our missionaries are facing. This is a fine line that is very challenging to walk.
It is a crazy time, but what it brings me back to is the Lord. The Lord is good and I so easily slip away from trusting in him. However if I truely have confidence in him then seeing MY plans fall away should be no problem because he holds the best plans in his hands. Seeing uncontrolable things happen around me shouldn’t phase me as He holds control of all. If fear is driving my decisions then I am looking to myself and not to him. It is a time that reminds me of God and who he is. He is the one I should be resting in. He is the one who has control of all and nothing is taking him by surprise. I need to rely on him and take things one day at a time.
Here is my prayer for myself and the church as a whole..
“Lord, as the world falls into chaos, help us to be a beacon of hope. Help us to know intimately the hope we have in you, so that we can spread that to others. Help us to turn to you. Help us to know you more as we walk through the chaos. We turn to our own strength, intelligence, planning, security, and safety so easily and forget who you are. Help us to cling just to you and let go of those other things. Help us to BE your love to the people around us. Help us to know how to best reach out and love on people in a time where people are fearful of others. Let us not be driven by fear but willing to do what you have called us to.”
Lets be faithful to pray for all that God would have of us in the days to come.
I second what Margaret Brant said!
He is our refuge and fortress!
Praying for you!
Thank you for the update, Andi!
It is an unstable season for all of us. Thank you for sharing the story in your world. We are stuck home, but have plenty. Toby has online services each Sunday and our small group is meeting virtually. Even had my 5 yo granddaughter video chat today and tell me how much she misses us (longest we have been apart since she was born).
God bless your work and selves.
As always I love hearing from you.
You’ve put our fears into such clear focus. This is indeed a strange time we are in. I’m zure it must be difficult being so far away from family.
You’ve done an excellent job reminding us to put our trust in God and not ourselves or our government. God alone is in charge.
My love to you and the family there with you and the church you serve so well. Carolyn Gaupo
Beautiful! Praying for you. And thank you!
Thanks once again for your words of encouragement during these days of uncertainty. God is still on the throne and He is totally in control of not only our little planet but of the entire universe. Praise GOD 🙌
I’d been thinking of you guys and wondered how you were doing. Thanks for the post! Praying for your encouragement and strength in the Lord to face uncertain times and changes of plans. =)
Proverbs 16:9. “A man’s heart plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.”
A good reminder that God is in control and we are in good hands.
“Be still and know I am God.” Psalms 46:10-11
Praying