. . . God leads us through deserts . . .

It took me nearly a week and a half to get used to working from home. All last week and over the weekend my body ached from the different routine I was thrust into; I know I'm not the only one who has had to adjust. But WOW!

Over the past week, we've heard news reporters, church leaders, school leaders, city, state, national, and world leaders talking about a "new" normal. I've heard people say this is a "temporary" normal. I believe the latter to be true, but I also think when this is all over, the REAL "new" normal will emerge. 

I absolutely love the words found in Isaiah shared with Israel while they were in exile in Babylon:

I am about to do a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.   Isaiah 43:19

When we think about God doing something new, we usually think about new and exciting ministries people rally around like The Table, our missional community meal at Raytown Chapel Church. For the time being, we have been pushed into a different kind of “new.” It feels like the desert, but the Good News is God is making a way for us and we will follow. We are a family of people who strive to follow Jesus – and I know he will lead the way. My prayer is that we will all let him carry us through until we can confidently walk by his side.

I am overwhelmed by "busy" the church is because the people of God cannot be stopped. The human spirit is steadfast and unshakable! I am glad to be a part of a church where people embrace being GOD's OWN people and won't let this temporary blip hold them down. 

. . . God also sent the flood . . .

Covid-19! You are wrecking my faith, or are you deepening it? From one day to the next my mind races, did God send this new plague because of the ways in which we have abused creation? For the ways in which we have taken advantage of the good gifts God has given us? For the ways in which we have tried to become mightier than the Creator? Is God sending this like the flood was sent?

A few weeks ago my brother asked me after we had been talking about Job if the adversary put us on trial? It's a good question because we don't know what goes on in the heavenly realm. Have we as humans brought this on ourselves? I know it is NOT God's doing; it is mostly our doing. Job was innocent. There are innocents out there today who are suffering because of our brokenness that we blind ourselves to. We've let our ever-deepening consumption routines blind us to the groaning of creation.

Last night as I got into bed I couldn't help but think about the chaos caused by a contagion we can't see unless we have a microscope. Of course, we can see the effects on family members and friends who have contracted it. It made me think of all the ways in which I have taken for granted the beauty of God's creation. 

I haven't spent any money in three days (four if you're reading on Friday)...other than to make a donation...

Maybe I don't really need all the junk I buy. Maybe I don't need the Himalayan pink salt, or the collagen lotion (yes I do 👵), or the copious amounts of books, or a drawer full of pants that don't fit because I like decadent food and most don't fit...or you name it. What about you? What are the things you swear you need, but when you look at the state of the world, you know that you were wrong?

While this virus is horrid and frightening, maybe there is a blessing somewhere. I took a walk with my family today and heard the birds... No, it was more like I LISTENED to the BIRDS. They've been there every day and I have failed to hear them - this beautiful creature God gave us to fill the air with their beautiful songs and feathers... And this all happened in the middle of a city!

Our drive for success blinds us to the glory and majesty of creation all around us.

What are we learning...? That is what we should be looking for.

As I think about being a co-creator with God, I give thanks to God for the redirection so I can see the beauty amid the chaos.

Sorry this is so grim, but there are times for mourning, just as there is time for rejoicing.