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 first learned to cry watching films. I didn’t use to cry very much, and I asked God to change this. I first noticed the change when watching films – I was crying. I always cry at the same moment – it’s the moment of redemption. The moment when things turn around, when hope arrives, when years of waiting comes to an end.
When Andy Dufrene escapes from prison after 20 years in the Shawshank Redemption. When Elinor Dashwood finally is asked to marry by Edward in Sense & Sensibility. These are the moments when the tears flow. Years of waiting, years of struggle – and finally redemption comes.
The beginning of Psalm 40 contains redemption. Have a listen:
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
What is wonderful is to look back and see what God did. I have many stories in my own life of this – I was in the mud, in the swamp – sometimes for a long time – but God did lift me out and set my feet upon the rock. I love to hear people’s stories of when God has done this. I have heard so many over the years in my own church – it was dark, it was hard, I was in the mud – but I held onto God – and then the moment of redemption came. God lifted me out.
The challenge is not the redemption, but the patiently waiting for the Lord. This is hard. This is the painful bit. This is where we are tempted to give up. But this psalm, and the stories of millions tell us that if we will only hold on, wait patiently for the Lord – then redemption will come. He will lift us out.
And then we will have a story to tell. A story that will point people towards God. “Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him” says the psalm.
Hold on. Don’t give up. Wait patiently for the Lord. Redemption is coming.
God bless you today. Love, Matt