Years later – when we look back on this extended period of time in America, will we look at the “lockdowns” and “mandates”, and “restrictions” or will there be personal snapshots of experiences that we treasure from these days? Probably the latter.
Oh, there will be the opening remarks that gather these years together into one sentence, but it will only be a marker that starts the replay at a certain point. After one sentence which marks the starting place, we will then begin to unfold the amazing hidden adventures each of us has had with our God during this time. Whatever “the world” is throwing at us, our Father is using this time for His greater purposes in each of our lives. He is taking advantage of this “time out” to address unhealed areas in His children.
How is He doing this?
Amazingly, He is taking us through a series of tests. These tests are a tweaking of the “little things” – things half forgotten, things we thought we had dealt with, things shoved back into darkness at the time so that we could go on with life. He’s going back and dealing with these. We are being given that fabled “second chance”.
Using the Lockdowns
He is using the lockdowns to get us alone and quiet – even as He did in the story of Jacob (representing the flesh), when Jacob wrestled with the angel. But it is our God who is wrestling with us.
However, He has given us an advantage we did not have when we were younger and fleshlier. Now, we are older and have hopefully, gained some wisdom. We are looking back at each circumstance. through the lens of maturity and a maturity that has the advantages of seeing the consequences of former decisions made “in the flesh” rather than “in the spirit”.
He has used this time
He has used this time to slow us down enough to actually “catch” what He is doing. The tests may look different, but the outcome needs to be the same: to replace with Christ the fleshly decisions made when we were younger. He is cleaning us up. I don’t know what’s coming – but we obviously need more of Him replacing the flesh remaining in our souls to make it through.
We have been given this “time out” for a reason: His reason – not the enemy’s.
Just remember we are dealing with our God. With every loss of our particular desires, with every sidetrack, with every inconvenience, we need to look “behind” the curtain and ask Him – “what are You saying to me?”
If we ask, He will share with us His purposes.
Even as our younger selves resisted tests, hopefully – with more of life “under our belts”, we will face these tests and allow the Lord to heal us His way.
Almost everyone I know is being carried back to “go”. It’s like we are beginning again. It’s very like that “second chance” – but the outcome is not to do the things we have done before, but – instead – to do the greater works He speaks of in the Bible.
This is one of the most amazing times in our lives. We will look back in wonder and deep, deep gratitude to God for the quiet days when He took our faces into His hands and said: “look at Me, not at the passing panorama of the world”.
And, even as Moses lifted up the staff in the wilderness, He is saying, look to your God now, lift Me up; look to and trust in Me and be healed.
The Bonus We Did Not Know About
There is a bonus we did not know about when we were younger. That is – allow Him to heal us (when more of Christ has replaced the flesh in our souls) and that healing flows down to our children and grandchildren.
Do you want to change “things?” Allow Him to change you. Do you want the best for your children and grandchildren? Allow Him to form Christ in you. After salvation the greatest adventure in life is to watch Him work. Right now He is working on us. Don’t resist Him. Let Him wrestle you to the ground and win.
We are not having our open prayer meetings at the moment.
