When I look back at the last month of quarantine and the chaos that we find ourselves in, it is heartening to know that there is abundant hope in it. I began this quarantine in great spirits as it did not cause too much inconvenience in my life. I have worked remotely for most of my business career, so that wasn’t a drawback. It wasn’t a huge obstacle for Kelli and me to adjust to working out of a 900 sq. ft. apartment. Our children are grown and do not live with us. So, other than two advanced-aged dogs learning a new normal, the situation was optimal.
As the weeks went on, frustrations started to mount, and anger and resentment of the current global situation started to rear its ugly head. The ability not to do simple things like seeing family or having dinner with friends angered me. As days went on with increased zoom calls and more and more negative news, my spirits fell pretty low. It wasn’t until I paused to God what He wanted me to learn in this season did it click for me. The Lord pushed me toward Romans 15:13:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
I was able to change my perspective to see all that God is doing in this season, and He is doing so much! I see week after week people being reached through social media, friends that we have been praying for logging in to services, and community groups having people join that might have been uncomfortable walking into a house of someone they don’t know. These things are filling me with considerable joy. When I find myself boarding the struggle bus again, I lean back into God’s promises and am refilled with His peace and hope. This is how I know everything is going to work out for His Glory.
In this season of so many “what if’s,” it is important to know that we have a God that loves and cares for us. Through Him, we can find joy and peace in our circumstances and pure hope that we will come back stronger than ever as a church community!