My prayers have been scattered lately.

I don’t remember how long life has been quarantined, how many ebbs and flows this all has had. But I feel pulled with the tide. In, out. In, out.

As I tuck my kids in and watch the dog settle into sleep, I think all is well. It’s all going to be okay, normal life will come eventually.

Yet I know that’s not true. “Normal” as we knew it won’t be the same “normal” after this.

Lord, when will this end?

Lord, how can people treat each other this horribly?

Lord, what is Your will with all of this?

I find myself praying for simple things, like kind cashiers and enough toilet paper. And then there are deeper things; show me, Lord, how to be a faithful witness to You through all of this; protect my children from this hatred.

Humanity is lost. Every day news stories emerge that drop my jaw and sink my heart. And we are scrambling to make sense of it all, following click-bait and jumping to conclusions and trying to make everyone think like we do.

I watch and I am amazed - this global pandemic has brought out the worst in us. It has brought out so much hatred, so much selfishness. All the inner things of the heart…well, here they are on display.

It isn’t surprising though. Romans tells us, “…there is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). All have sinned (3:23). And now, as things are tough for everyone, it all is coming out.

God is sanctifying me. I want to hide in fear; I want to give way to worry over my kids and their future, over the instability of life as I know it. I want to throw fists verbally, give quick responses to people who are wrong or rude to me and my kids. I want to sit everyone down and make it all stop. Yet none of these responses is glorifying to my Lord, and so He reminds me over and over again.

If He has convinced me of anything through this, it’s that the entire world needs the Gospel. There is no policy that will solve things, no government official that will bring perfection, no way of human reasoning that will make people change their evil deeds.

Do you see it too?

Only God can change hearts. Only He can take a sinner, like He did with myself, and make that sinner righteous by the blood of His Son. We can’t do it - we can’t make ourselves good. Only Jesus Christ can make good out of someone inherently evil. Only Jesus can save this world and make things right. How desperately we need Him.

Bringing others to think like we do, act like we do, talk like we do - it isn’t a worthy goal, even if we think we’re doing it after God’s will. The worthy goal is pointing people to Jesus Christ, pointing them to the Bible to be changed by the perfect, unchanging God.

I want to encourage you, sisters in Christ, to be in the Word daily. Read it consistently, let it change you. Go to it to be shaped more and more like your Lord. This is a beautiful thing. And may I challenge you… you have no time for other extracurricular things if you are not in His Word.

I’ve mentioned this particular reading plan before, and I am happily mentioning it again because it has been so fruitful in my life (and the lives of many other women). The Bible Reading Challenge is a wonderful plan to follow for reading through Scripture. We are about to start the summer plan; you can find all the info here. It is solely Scripture, no additives. Whether you jump in with this plan or follow something else, prioritize reading your Bible.

What the world needs most right now is Christians following Christ. I’m praying for you and rooting for you in your walk with Him!

- Amy

What a time to be alive! A virus has sent the entire world into a panic; I have been amazed at the reaction, and all the ups and downs already. Fear surrounds us, doesn’t it?

But I can’t help pointing out - what an opportunity to stand apart! With everyone panicking, it is extremely noticeable when someone is calm and full of peace. Not worried of the days to come. I’ve read from a few other Christians of how their faith in the Lord through this has caused others to pause, and realize there’s more than what we see here.

You may be in a family of people who are healthy and not very susceptible to dangers of a virus. Or you may have children with complications, children with medicine that’s now hard to attain, children with immune systems that a virus would wreak havoc on. This virus may not have many implications for you, or it may have implications that are overwhelming.

Friends, the truth remains for each of us.

God is still in control, and life and death are in HIS hands. He already knows. He already knows the outcome of this whole thing. He knows who will get sick, who won’t; who will pass away and who will stay here on Earth. Some of these realities are hard-hitting. Life is fragile, but we have a God who is not.

He is the keeper of souls - fear Him, not man nor virus.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:28-31

He also knows what will happen when all of this is behind us. And we can see now that many people’s hearts are turning to Him in their time of fear and desperation. What will happen after? Will we all be as Pharaoh, seeing His Lordship one minute and then hardening our hearts once the challenge is past?

May we remember His care as the Israelites experienced:

But He made His own people go forth like sheep,
And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Psalm 78:52-53

Christians, use the opportunities He puts in front of you! Do not let fear control you! Write this down, post it in your home, read it often:

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand
Psalm 31:14-15

Look around, and ask the Lord to show you how you can be a blessing.

Take groceries to the doorstep of elderly neighbors, maybe even leave a note so they don’t feel so alone.

Use your stockpile of toilet paper or baby wipes to bless others who can’t find any.

Tend to your children, be intentional with extra time you have together (with them and your husband!).

A friend of mine has offered for people to come visit the animals she and her family have; she’s even left hay out for kids to come enjoy the steers, ducks, and chickens. What a great example of taking what you have and using it to bless others!

Personally, the LORD saw fit to keep many copies of the Strength & Song magazine at my home - maybe for such a time as this. If you would like a copy, email me! I will be sending out much of what I have to those who ask, so that you or a friend may be comforted during this time.

Be encouraged, friends. God is still in control, and this time is so ripe for His glory to be shown!

Amy

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.”

Psalm 36:5-7

Our Desperate Need

Peace - and the Coronavirus?