Wow…the past month has brought more lifestyle changes than most of us have probably faced in years combined. Many of us are probably fighting to hold onto things that feel “normal” right now. Though some may hope that life as we know it will soon return, the reality is that life is going to be permanently different in some areas going forward. For instance, my job is currently making changes to adjust that will not revert once “pandemic” status is no longer. I think most of us are bewildered at how quickly so much has changed in America and around the world in just a matter of weeks.
Thank goodness with all that is shifting, God remains the same. His love, care, and strength do not waiver. I must admit that what grieves me the most right now is not the life change, quarantine parameters, finances, etc., but the fact that this sickness is claiming people’s lives who may not have a relationship with God and who are dying alone with no one able to minister to them. This burdens me to my core right now and causes me to cry out to God for many. This is not meant to be a blog that puts the “fear of God” into people (which I don’t believe always produces a true heart change), but I hope and pray, rather, that this time period is causing many to realize their need for a relationship with our loving Father. The Bible tells us that He draws us with His kindness (Romans 2:4). All other areas of life can change, but our relationship with God can remain through it all. My hope is that this blog speaks to hearts and helps to clearly explain what it means to know Him if you do not right now. Or, maybe this will help you as a Christian to share Jesus with others (I encourage you to forward this blog if so).
Why do we need a relationship with God? Several reasons…here are four that come to mind through reading scripture. First, He is our Creator and He knows and understands who we are better than we ever will. Our identity is truly in Him. Second, you may have noticed lately how little we actually “control” in our lives. We were never meant to function apart from God. Third, through every challenge and every wonderful moment in life, I have seen the faithfulness of God to me and to others…even when it may not make sense (Romans 8:28). Lastly, every life on earth will cease. Through the death of Jesus, however, our wrongs have been forgiven, and we have the hope of spending eternity with Him. Right now, those of us who have a relationship with God do not fear death. Sure, many of us don’t want to leave and grieve loved ones or face things unknown, but we have an inner peace of knowing that when this life is no more, we will be with God.
This life is only a small part of our existence and what comes after is an existence not messed up by mankind. Through man’s disobedience at the beginning of time, this world entered a sinful, fallen state not originally intended. Sin caused death to our souls and caused there to be distance between us and a Holy God. In His continued love and desire for a relationship with mankind, God sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to bear all our sins and take the punishment we deserved. Our repentance and belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who has been raised from the dead, allows us to have fellowship with God. The Bible says:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. -Romans 10:9-10
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” – Romans 5:6-11
My hope right now is if you are reading this and do not know God or maybe you believe in God, but haven’t really developed a relationship with Him, then you will talk to Him. There are many local church bodies that you can reach out to right now online or by phone that can help answer any questions you may have. My husband and I are available as well. We would love the opportunity to pray with you. Another great next step is to begin reading the New Testament book of John and then Romans in the Bible. You can access the Bible online through several sites, one being https://www.biblegateway.com/ . There are several translations available…the New Living Translation (NLT) is sometimes easiest to read and understand. It the midst of the uncertainty of life, I pray that your heart is touched and drawn to God…He loves us all so incredibly much!
Heavenly Father, while this world frantically reacts to this life-threatening virus, many are calling out to you with their uncertainties, fears, and hopes. Through the faith you have given us, we know that you have not been surprised or alarmed by this virus, but that you maintain your sovereign rule over creation. We thank you God, that many hearts are turning to you during this crisis as we discard our pettiness and look to our Maker for mercy. We pray that you continue to turn hearts toward you. We pray that you hear our prayers and show your great mercy. We confess that we have taken our health and freedom and most of your blessings for granted. We repent that in our arrogance, we lived our lives without considering who gave us our lives. Through this virus, we have seen how powerless we are and how totally dependent we are upon you, the Giver of All Good Things. Please turn our hearts toward you and give us the humility and wisdom to acknowledge you as Lord of our lives. You are mighty and majestic. You deserve all the praise, glory, and worship forever, oh God. We look to you for the mercy we need. We place our hope in you. We wait for the healing only you can bring. Amen. (Prayer by Todd Simmons)