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?
“Christians don’t tell lies, they just sing them in their songs.” I heard this line years ago, and I haven’t forgotten it. As I stand in church services singing, or I am singing worship songs in the car I find myself asking “Do I really believe this?” or “Do I really mean what I am singing?”
This morning I was kneeling (yes I know, sooo holy!) with my guitar and singing “Christ is enough for me”. We have sung this a lot at my church in the last couple of years. But as I sang, I thought, do I actually believe this today? Do I really think that Christ is enough? Or in reality, do I want a whole load of other things sorted as well – with Jesus as a nice topping?
Then I read Psalm 62 again. Hear some of its words:
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Does my soul find rest in God? Really?
I know it should – but do I actually live this? When any of us have had things taken away that we rely upon, that we thought satisfied us – then this is really tested. Can I, in the absence of other things that I wanted, find genuine rest, hope, salvation, salvation, honour & refuge with God?
The answer is yes. But, and it’s a big but – this yes is not a one time answer – it’s a daily journey. Because our hearts are hurt or disappointed. Or we are craving other things. And we have to keep coming back to that “yes”. We need to choose again that Christ is enough. We need to come before God, again and again, to listen to His voice and remind ourselves that He really is the place where our soul finds rest. Nowhere or no-one else is good enough.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Do it. Choose to trust Him again. Pour out whatever is in your hearts to Him. He really is your refuge – even if you don’t fully believe it today.
Love Matt