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Grace and Peace!
Hope all of you are doing well by the grace of God.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, now is the time, more than ever before, to draw closer to the scriptures and seek out the voice of God.
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:11
Fear of what the future holds, and dread of what today may bring has been the resounding cry of communities across the world facing this pandemic. To alleviate the burden of fear and panic that has taken root in our hearts, we may find ourselves seeking refuge in channels that divert and even numb our minds. Whether it be immersing ourselves completely in books, social media, movies or TV shows, we find ourselves trying to escape the reality of the world we live in today. With all the pain and heartache surrounding us today, the most comfortable way out is spending all of our time transfixed by the allure of these time-fillers.
Of Course there is nothing wrong with spending some leisure time with these activities, but the issue arises when we have no time left for God. You see, during this time, God is calling us for something greater than what the world has to offer for us. The voice of the world coaxes us to sit idly by, but God beckons us through Hosea 10:11 to “break up our fallow ground”, nourish our lives, and enter into the righteousness of God.
What can we do to accept the invitation of Hosea 10:11?
In the midst of a climate of fear, you are encouraged to be the one that stands firm in faith, leaning on the hope of God’s promises. So despite the level of faith you may have had in the past, big or small, the time has come for you to step out of hiding. With all this time in our hands, there is no excuse to put off our spirituality until a more convenient time. Now is the time that our communities, our families, our friends, our neighbors and even our own souls cry out for hope. So, be the hope. Be the life. Be the one that shines the light of Christ in a destitute world crying out in the darkness.
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” John 8:12
To shine the light of Christ, we must first carry the light of Christ. So in the darkness of hopelessness, find encouragement within the pages of your Bible. When loneliness seems to be your only companion, encounter the friendship of God through personal prayer. Step out into the outstretched arms of a God who longs for you. Seek Him and build your life on a firm foundation of faith.
The same power that lives in Jesus, which enables Him to overcome the darkness of death through His resurrection, lives in us today. There is no amount of desolation, emptiness, or despair that the hope of our risen Lord cannot overcome, if you but turn to His embrace. He is waiting. Will you receive Him?
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5