Lately, there are many places to “pick a side”. A lot of trying to figure out the right answer to everything. The virus brought with it several choices- to grow stronger as a country or to let it start to destroy us.
My hope was that, just as our country had done before, we would pull together in a crisis more than ever. Initially, it seemed we were doing just that! We focused on the positives coming from slowing down and being at home and saw the good that was being created even out of a bad situation. We saw ways God was working in families and lives that could not have happened at any other time. But there also was a restlessness that seemed to creep in, and then every day became another day to pick a side. You could choose to wear gloves or not, wear a mask or not, speak up or be silent, protest or not, and even pick a political side. I found myself very frustrated and misunderstood and unable to know when and how to express what I truly valued. Even agreeing with an article could be taken the wrong way.
I had prayed about the virus and God’s will many times. But I had not prayed about when to speak. So I prayed more. God’s direction was to keep my mouth closed on social media regarding any “side” issue. So I did. Sometimes it about killed me! But God was telling me to be quiet, to keep silent. Not because I didn’t care about the issue or people, just because He asked me to do that. But it wasn’t until I was walking recently and thinking about everything, that I remembered a scripture that had always been a powerful one to me. It states:
The Fall of Jericho
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. – Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV)
When we listen to the Word of God before we listen to people, and when we choose to be misunderstood by others because it is more important to understand God more, then we will be able to ask- ‘What message do you have for me Lord?’. We will be better able to hear the whisper of our Savior, our God. A God that is not concerned with picking sides of our issues. But a God that wants to know one thing- are we on His side?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us all in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
— 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
God, we pray for our country, our State and our town of Bluffton. We pray that as Christians we do not misuse Your name to push our own opinions. That our focus will be on showing kindness to all people. And God, use that kindness that we pour out on others to help everyone see the love You have for them. Help us to listen better. Amen
