11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4: 11-16
I feel really distracted in 2020. It seems as though every day something new comes up. Something new and horrible. I know you’ve seen them. Those memes of everything that has happened so far from the horrifying effects of the coronavirus pandemic to the debilitating effects that racism continues to have on our nation, to the ludicrous idea of murder hornets and flying snakes. We as a people have gone through enough.
And, we still have five months to go.
A friend texted me today to ask for pray. She said that nothing is “wrong,” she “just has this feeling of being unsettled.”
We are being tossed in the waves.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4: 14-15
As Christians, there comes a time we must choose. Do we choose to be tossed hither and yon by the speakers, the trash talkers; those in false authority who want to sway our minds to deception, hatred and fear? Or do we stand on that undeniable and irrational peace that we’ve been taught in the Word of God?
The unsettling she feels is the same I feel. This unsteadiness in these trying times hoping and praying for a release. But, a release is not happening. It is not coming.
Like a mother in birthing pangs, our world is in a stretching. We as believers must choose. And, like my friend who is feeling this in her spirit, we must pray for discernment to understand and know the will of God. The Lord God has us through this. The Lord God has our wants and needs in His capable hands. He will guide us through the green pastures to still waters (Psalm 23). He is our faithful shepherd ever diligent in our care. He has us. Always.
I want to instill this in you today. The shifting winds are not of God. These are a distraction of the enemy to get you off course, keep you unsettled and distract you from the work God has placed in you to do.
Have you been praying about an action only to find you can’t do anything due to COVID-19? Work around it–With God’s guidance. Safely, and with wisdom. God’s plans are never thwarted by the devil. They can be delayed (Daniel 10:11-14 See below.). But we will push forward. We will work forward to make His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
We love you, God. Please work through us, deliver us and protect. us. Amen.
11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
Daniel 10: 11-14 (NIV)
