There are a lot of thoughts and opinions out on social media regarding our current situation and the actions we either are or aren't taking. I don't need to tell you that. People have things to say. Many believe they alone are right. Many people see this through a lens of "this is being taken away from me".
And this is where today's devotional felt timely.
As adults, there are things that we hold most dear. It varies for each person. "But when someone tries to lay a hand on our precious commodities, you better believe we can still throw a toddler-size tantrum. Our fists close tighter and tighter around the stuff that gives our lives meaning."
Are you feeling similar right now? Do you feel like the things in your life that give you so much meaning are being taken from you?
Maybe this is a clue that we've lost sight of the only one who can bring true meaning into our lives.
The devotion goes on to say that throughout the Bible, there are accounts were God asks people to loosen their grip for the sake of the gospel. One is the story of Abraham, asked to sacrifice his son. Another is Mary of Bethany who gives without being asked, anointing Jesus in perfume.
The question I found myself asking (myself) is do I struggle to hand over what I think gives me meaning, do I struggle to hand over a false idol, do I struggle to hand over whatever it is God is asking me to hand over? Or can I give freely? Ask yourself the same question. Do you have an easy answer?
"We must loosen our grip on earthly things and focus our eyes on heavenly things."
To me, this parallels what we're being asked to give up with this stay-at-home order, with businesses being closed, gatherings cancelled. It's hard to loosen that grip on the routine of our daily lives. It's hard to make such drastic changes and with such little time to prepare.
But just as God would ask "people to loosen their grip for the sake of the gospel", we are being asked to loosen our grip for the sake of others. We are being asked to trust our leaders, trust the experts. By staying home, by social distancing, by limited contact with others, we are savings lives. We are providing necessary time to allow additional resources to be found and prepared. We are making a difference. What is being asked of us is not easy and yes, there are consequences. But to me, those consequences have solutions that are easier to find than allowing thousands to die and our healthcare systems to be overrun.
What is that you're still trying to hold on to? What would it look like if you let it go temporarily? What happens when we take the time to remember that Jesus is the true meaning of our lives?
Remember, God gave up His own perfect Son as the Lamb on our behalf. My behalf. Your behalf. Rejoice and rest with that thought. And Trust in Him.
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