In the last week or so, there have been two people that have told me "to hang in there" concerning the pandemic. This statement was their parting "talk to you later." So I shared the reason that I don't like this phrase with one of them. Several years ago, I was told by my boss that I couldn't work in the district where I had been a teacher for ten years. I was shocked beyond belief. Why? I was never given a reason or an answer to that question. In the ten years there, I had never received a bad evaluation, had no problems with parents, students, or even my coworkers. And all of a sudden, I was told that I couldn't work in that district anymore. I won't go into all the details or name people because it isn't necessary. But one morning, one of my coworkers said,"Hang in there, Beverly." I turned the corner to go to my classroom and I said to the Lord, "Lord, I don't want to hang in there. I don't want to hang by my neck, fingernails, or toenails because you die." Immediately, in my mind, I saw Peter walking on the water, and the lord said,"Walk on water." I knew exactly what he meant. Peter was doing fine until he took his eyes off the Lord. When he looked at the wind, he started to sink. He took his eyes off the Lord and began looking at the problem. Jesus said that he would NEVER leave nor forsake us. And he isn't a man that he should lie. I had no idea why the people did what they did at that time. But in the end, I went to a different district and my pay went up $6000 a year. The Lord turned what was meant to destroy me into a blessing. I liken it to the situation with Joseph and his brothers. They meant Joseph harm, but God meant him good, and the people that caused my problem lost their jobs in the end.
Walk on water. Keep our eyes on the Lord. Remember his words to us. So this pandemic. Hum. God's word tells us in many places to give God thanks for all things. So I can thank him for this problem because I know that he has a plan. He doesn't always tell us why he allows things to happen the way they do. We are supposed to live by faith in him. So I say thanks Lord. I've never had a time where I had nothing to do or nowhere to go, etc. I can do whatever I want today in my house or my yard. Talk about a total rest! Oh, yeah, there have been days that have been so boring! But as Paul said, learn to be content in whatever. Praise God that we have food, clothes, etc. Have people died in this? Yes, and it's difficult and very sad. But if they died in the Lord, we will see them again. That's a living hope that God's children have. And jobs? If we're children of God, he will supply us with every need including a job, Phil.4:19. We are supposed to be lights to the world, to people that don't know the Lord. How can we be, if we don't live above the problems that surround us?
Many have been beside themselves because they can't attend church services. If church services are the only thing that keeps them safe, spiritually speaking, I'm concerned for them. We, the people, are the church, not the building that we go to every week. Do we not understand that whatever is going on in our lives that Jesus is right in the middle of it with us? I don't like it when I hear Christians pray, Lord be with us. Well, where else is he? He said he would be with us even to the end of the world. Emmanuel means God with us!
So God has a purpose for allowing this pandemic. And maybe it's meant to make people stop and think about their lives. What are they doing and what really are the important things in their lives? It's time to think about what are we doing and where are we going. I asked my 9th graders one time to think about two things:what do you believe and why do you believe it? Don't tell me but answer this for yourselves. I think that it's time that we do the same thing. And in the meantime:Learn to walk on water for God has a plan and it's a good one.
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