The first casualties of upheaval can be love, kindness, and patience. But crisis is also a moment when love for God & one another can spring up. For 150 days, starting on 17th March 2020, I will write 300 words based on one of the 150 psalms in the bible. How can I find and give love in the midst of coronavirus?
I may have mentioned before that I play cricket. Along with all other sport, it’s been cancelled for the foreseeable future. However, part of playing is umpiring. I stand behind the stumps, watching intensely as the bowler runs in – I am meant to see everything, and then make definitive decisions.
Psalm 11 says this about God: 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
God sees everything – and He sees everyone. You, me and every one of the 7800000000 people on earth. He sees and he examines. The psalm says that he is looking at the righteous and the unrighteous – the good things we do and the bad. He sees it all. He sees – and in the long run he will judge – He will make decisions.
In the midst of upheaval and crisis, there is an opportunity for us to make bad choices. To lose our cool, to be angry, to cheat, to lie – as well as loads of opportunity to express kindness, patience, and servant-heartedness. For those of us who follow God, let’s ask for help from Him to walk righteously in this – knowing that He sees everything that we do, say and think. God blesses this. The psalm finishes with: 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.
May God help you and me to choose well.
Much love, Matt