Hey, y'all! So blessed to have the opportunity to share with you all!
As my brother, Marvin has stated in a previous blog-this has been a crazy, crazy time as we have been dealing with Covid-19. Our only true hope is knowing that we can walk in the truth of Joshua 1:9!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
So encouraging! I feel so at ease knowing that God is with us during this difficult time. And for most of us, that is exactly what 2020 has been; a difficult and challenging year so far. In one way or another, Covid-19 has made things hard for us. Maybe your year started off rough due to family issues, medical issues, or financial issues. Perhaps your year started off great with no issues whatsoever. Despite how your year started, Covid-19 has impacted each of us. Many have lost love ones due to the virus, some have lost their jobs, some are small business owners who are struggling to keep their business going while others are essential workers putting their lives on the line daily to make sure we are able to keep our basic needs met. No matter what our current situation is, how we respond to Covid-19 is very important.
Many people have very different views and opinions about how our government is handling Covid-19. Some agree with the decisions made while others strongly disagree. Honestly, I've been on both sides so far. I've agreed with some of the decisions and I've also disagreed. However, what I've tried to do is obey the laws or orders given at any time.
Unfortunately, a lot of the people that aren't obeying the rules are my brothers and sisters in Christ. The very people that are supposed to act, think, and be different are the very people disobeying what we are taught in the book of Romans chapter 13. Has it been easy not to be able to enjoy doing something as simple as walking around my favorite stores or going out for an impromptu outing with my husband and kids? No! It has been challenging. As challenging as this all has been, my husband and I have made an effort to obey. Don't get me wrong, we still go for our family walks while practicing social distancing if we cross paths with other families, and our kids still go outside to play, just not with their friends.
One of the main reasons my husband and I try to obey the orders given by our government is because we have four boys watching our every move. If they see us doing the exact opposite of what we are being told to do just because we don't agree, what does that teach them? It teaches them that when they grow up they don't have to obey if they don't agree with whatever decision is being put together which is totally wrong. Unless we are being told to do something that goes against the word of God and our beliefs, we obey fully.
Let's be real, as parents, bosses, teachers, or whatever other leadership roles you may have, you expect people to listen when you give an order to do something that is right and beneficial. So what makes it any different when it comes to our government giving orders? As Christians, we are called to obey our government unless they are asking us to do something that's against what we stand for. We don't have to agree with their calls, but we must obey.
I understand this is a hard time for many, especially those who have lost their jobs. However, we have to find a balance. This time can't be all bad. There is some good out of all of this. The greatest gift of it all for me has been the blessing of being able to slow down with my husband and kids. Literally taking each day by the moment and soaking up our time together. This is our new normal for right now, how we respond is crucial.
My encouragement to you all during this time is to respond well to our new normal. Bickering, boycotting, complaining...none of that is going to make Covid-19 go away. However, praying for our land to be healed, praying over our leaders and choosing to respond well by doing all we can like: obeying our government, practicing social distancing, wearing a mask in public places, washing our hands, and staying home unless we have to be out will definitely make a difference.
My final thoughts As we rest in the hope that God is with us during this time, may we also remember that regardless of how we feel about the decisions made by those placed in authority, we must respond with obedience. After all, God allowed our leaders to be where they are. If we don't obey our government we are being disobedient towards God and in the end, we only hurt ourselves by disobeying Him.
Joshua 1:9 NKJV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 13:1-2 NKJV Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
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