Difficulty gives us a fresh perspective. No doubt you have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. What have you learned about yourself or others? What have you seen in a new light? During this time when most likely you are isolated or your regular routine is disrupted, I challenge you to listen and respond to God. He is calling you to himself and to others. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Normally we can not approach God. He is holy and pure and we are not. Each of us has rebelled from him to live our own life our own way. But Jesus died and rose again to save us from that foolish, independent lifestyle which quietly kills us like a terminal disease. We can draw near to God by faith because the blood Jesus shed for us washes away our guilt and shame. Doing so is not a one-time event. We cannot just accept God’s gift of salvation like a ticket and then continue to live our own life a part from him. Instead saving faith is an ongoing, ever growing, intimate relationship of love with the one and only God of the universe. Like a branch we must abide in Jesus, the vine, to thrive and bear fruit (John 15:1-11).
If you trust and obey Jesus you can humbly cast all your cares on God because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7). “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear [revere/honor] him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy” (Psalm 145:18-20). “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). “I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).
When you make God your foundation, the building of your life not only brings God glory and benefits you, it is a testimony to others so that they may come to know God also. “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28). You are blessed to be a blessing. The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Corinth, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Paul continued later in his letter, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). God’s love for you and yours for him should bear fruit in love for others shown by laying down your life as God enables you so they can come to know God the way you have.
Don’t let difficulty cripple or isolate you. Don’t be pinned down by the past or fretful about the future. Live hopefully in the present and rely on God who can forgive the past and directs the future. Do what God is calling you to do now. By God’s grace and power live up to and make the most of the truth you already know (Philippians 3:7-16). Use this unique time to humbly bow before God. Let him heal your brokenness and self-centeredness and draw you close. Listen to him and then trust and obey as he sends you to restore others.