| Matthew 5: 8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. |
How has the recent shutdown impacted your world? I don’t know a single person whose life has remained “normal”. We have all suffered some losses – financially, emotionally, physically, and perhaps mentally. Maybe your life is beginning to regain some traction with a busier schedule, more appointments, and being with some of the people you’ve missed.
Before we get too engaged again, would you consider this: How have your opinions relative to God and to your family changed? How has your spiritual walk changed? How have your key relationships changed?
In Matthew 5: 8 Jesus told us “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” In Psalm 46:10 we read: “He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.’ ”
Have you seen God in new ways? Have you noticed how extremely vulnerable (needy) you truly are? We human beings are relatively fragile creatures. A tiny, practically invisible virus can almost stop the world’s systems and frighten millions into submission. I won’t get into the politics of it all, but the fact remains that around the world, we have seen significant changes to behavior, mental and emotional conditions, financial stability, and religious activity. My “positive from the negative” is really very simple.
Questions to consider: Have we (you and I) discovered our frailty and our desperate need for Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ? Have new views or refreshed views of the vastness of God, the personal nature of Jesus our Savior, and the differences between Him and us caused any gratitude, awe, respect, and humility to arise in your spirit? Consequently, has a new view of the glory of God brought you (and me) to a deeper appreciation and awe for Him and for the people in your life – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers? Has the suffering or fear you’ve seen in others brought you to new levels of compassion for them?
Whether this “pandemic” lasts a few more weeks or longer … or not, would you join me in praying fervently, listening to God’s responses, reading His Word, and having meaningful times with those you love?
In other words, even if nothing else positive comes from this era of the pandemic, may we, by God’s grace, grow to “love the Lord our God with all (or more) of our heart, soul, mind, and strength” as we see Him more clearly and love “others as we love ourselves”. As the song says, may we “see Him more clearly, follow Him more nearly, and love Him more dearly” day by day.
Hosea 6:8 says it more “biblically” – “He has shown, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
God richly bless and keep you,
Dave and Carol Lewis