FOCUS TIME!
Life has changed a lot lately, for some people. For others, it hasn't changed as much. Our family, for example, has pretty normal days with homeschooling and chores that we were already used to doing prior to the COVID-19 current events. We understand (to some extent) how blessed we are and are attempting daily to keep this forward in our minds as we pray for others. We got to go on our spring break trip and enjoy activities that still allowed plenty of "social distancing." We already home-school, so we weren't thrown into it without preparation as many families have been. My husband is able to work from home, which is not something everyone has been able to do, and some have even lost their jobs during this already stressful time. (He's even able to work without us distracting him or him distracting us too much. In fact, he's been very helpful with math instruction!) We have plenty of groceries, etc. and haven't felt the need to hoard anything. We had friends who gave us milk and a few other things when we got home from our trip so we wouldn't have to venture to a store right away. We are healthy and, best of all, we have peace.
One thing that comes to mind for me in this season is the opportunity many have to consider (and possibly change) their focus. Many parents are working from home, so they are getting to be around their families more (in some fashion or another). Schools in our area won't open their physical campuses until April 13 - at the earliest. That's after Resurrection Sunday (Easter), when we remember the sacrifices made for us. God gave us His one and only son, Jesus. Jesus gave his own earthly life and died a painful death - all to give us access to the kingdom of God, available to us now in part, and fully and eternally in heaven.
The first Lent in which I remember participating was during my high school years and a group of friends were talking about it. At that time, I chose not to remove anything from my life, but instead to add reading at least one Bible chapter a day. At the time, I thought it silly to give up something like candy. I have not always participated in Lent since then, but have begun again in the past few years. I have a great desire to draw closer to God even though I choose to worship in a denomination in which Lent is often not observed. I always have the desire to draw closer to God! (Remember, this blog's title is "Striving for God's Glory.") This year, I chose to temporarily give up sweets (not all sugar, just candy, cookies, cakes, etc.) and Facebook. By the way, it no longer seems silly to me. Giving up the sweets has been hard!
About a week ago (26 days into Lent), I felt convicted to end my fast from Facebook. This is a time when people are searching and need to hear something uplifting, and I believe it is more pleasing to God for me to share about His kingdom and encourage people than to hold to the personal commitment of the fast. More people may be able to benefit than just myself - AND I'm still intentionally dwelling on God and His will and purposes, which again is the point of Lent.
So, as we are in this unsettling time that happens to coincide with the Lenten season, when there have been changes in jobs, schooling, health concerns, etc. and many people are spending more time at home, I'd like to invite and encourage you to consider your focus. I'd like to share some verses from the Bible and some suggestions.
May you be blessed. My family prays that you may have peace.
Verses
Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
James 4:8 - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 12:46 - "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
John 16:33 - "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 26:3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
2 Timothy 1:7 - for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Suggestions
1. Read the Bible.
- Do you know how many times God says "do not fear" in the Bible? The Bible is not only a source of reassurance but can lead you closer to the God who truly loves you and cares for you more than you can ever comprehend. Give Him a chance if you haven't already.
2. Pray.
- Tell God how you feel. You can't scare Him and He understands even better than you do.
- Know that others are praying around the world, too. Matthew 18:19-20 say, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." We may not be able to physically gather together, but we can all lift our prayers up from wherever we are.
3. Reflect.
- What good has God already done in your life and in the lives of others? How could He be using this current time? What might He do in the future? How does He want you to be involved in His plans and purposes? Look beyond yourself.
3. Listen to a Christian radio station.
- If you can't find a local radio station, there are a number that you can listen to online [such as KLOVE (www.klove.com/listen/player.aspx) and Spirit (www.spirit1059.com/listen-live/)], or you can listen to music through another source such as Spotify, Sirius, YouTube, etc.
- A few good songs for this season include: Breathe by Jonny Diaz, Waymaker by Michael W. Smith, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Shane and Shane, Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp, Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath, The God Who Stays by Matthew West, Speak Life by Toby Mac, and Never Once by Matt Redmon. Of course there are so many more! My kids and I really love the sounds of the group Anthem Lights, too.
4. Do a devotional.
- YouVersion has a Bible app available for most devices, I think. They have quite a few reading plans dealing with fear, anxiety, peace. They have many other topics, too, but these are ones to which I've seen people gravitate recently.
- If you are looking for a devotional to do with your kids, here are some books we have enjoyed. Our most recent favorites have been Devotions for Super Average Kids (Books 1 and 2) by Bob Smiley. I'd also recommend looking at the resources at https://store.notconsumed.com/ and Home: A Devotional for Families by Jared and Bobi Ann Allen. (You can find this last one at https://bobiann.com/product/home-family-devotional/).
5. Watch a church service online.
- This is pretty much how almost every church in "social distancing" areas are "meeting" nowadays. You can watch services live or sermons that have been available for a while. I strongly urge you, however, to physically be involved in an actual church when that is available. Check out the churches' websites and Facebook pages. I happen to know that our church (First Baptist Church Round Rock) is posting something every single day, and it has been very encouraging.
6. Find a friend with whom you can talk.
- Do you have someone with whom you can share your heart and emotions, who will listen to you and love you no matter what you say? (By the way, this is a great reason to pray, because this is exactly what God does!) If they live with you, ask them to sit with you for a while (no devices or distractions). If you can't get together right now, contact them via phone call, e-mail, text, video-chat, etc. Find a way to reach out because you were never intended to be isolated and alone. Also, make sure it's someone who is going to tell you the truth in love, not just say what you want to hear.
