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?
“God, make me more like Jeremy.” This was my prayer for a number of years. Jeremy was vicar of a church near Victoria Station. A few church leaders from central London would meet together every month to eat breakfast and pray. Jeremy was one of them. After each gathering, I went home praying – God, make me more like Jeremy. Why? Because he was so kind. His manner towards everyone he met was so warm, so gracious and so kind. I wanted to be more like this – and I still have a long long way to go.
Read the first few verses of Psalm 41
1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. 2 The Lord protects and preserves them – they are counted among the blessed in the land – he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sick-bed and restores them from their bed of illness.
As I’ve gone on as a Christian (30 years now) I’ve prayed for many things for myself. For God’s power, to be able to speak about Him, to lead a large church…… they are all good things – but increasingly there is one thing that I believe is the most important mark of being a disciple of Jesus – kindness.
The psalm says that those who have regard for the weak are blessed. It then says what these blessings are (and they are really good). But the important thing is that we have regard for the weak – that we go through life looking at others with kindness, seeking to help those weaker than ourselves (or just as weak as us). Let this be our motivation. In crisis and under pressure, may we be kind. May we be those who have regard for the weak.
Lord, make me more like Jeremy!
May you be blessed today. Love Matt