I feel like I’ve belly-crawled over broken glass for 100 years in just this one week; and I’ve lived through some very devastating weeks before.
The COVID-19 virus has turned the world upside down. It is wreaking havoc in the lives of millions globally. I know. I can’t turn on the TV or scroll through Facebook without seeing the devastation, and, I’ve scanned empty shelf after empty shelf in stores looking for food and essentials for family and friends.
Because of that and so much more, fear and faith are in the battle of a lifetime inside my heart.
I jump from one to the other much more quickly than a Christian should. I know that, yet, here I am, sitting on the sidelines watching heart wrenching, mind numbing, white knuckle fear duke it out with a God-fearing faith that can move mountains inside of me.
The battle rages. Sometimes fear wins. Sometimes faith wins.
And the shame and guilt of that makes me want to crawl under the covers, bawl my eyes out, and never come out again.
It’s exhausting.
I’m exhausted.
But God…
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“But some doubted.”
These chosen men were the close followers, students, and friends of Jesus Christ and they saw miracles, healings, walking on water, winds and waves obeying His voice, food multiplied, people being brought back to life, and so many others we couldn’t possibly list them all here today!
After all they had seen and done with Him, “some doubted.” But notice one thing. He didn’t rebuke them. He didn’t scold them. He didn’t shame them, He didn’t guilt them.
HE told them that HE had been given ALL authority in Heaven and on earth and then He gave them a mission.
And He has given me a mission.
I am human. I will sometimes battle fear. I will sometimes hide under the covers. I will sometimes feel the guilt and shame of that…but those feelings are not from Jesus and He doesn’t rebuke me for it. He loves me and reminds me that HE has all authority in Heaven and on earth and He is in control.
And He reminds me that I have a mission.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul states, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
In these dark and perilous times, even when the battle between fear and faith rages inside of us, we can be steadfast, unmovable, and abound in the work of the Lord!
What better times than these to become faith-filled by being faithful!
What better times than these to be deep in the Word, fervent in prayer, constantly in worship!
What better times than these to tell others that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life! (John 3:16)
What better times than these to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness!
What better times than these to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
What better times than these to check on our family, friends, and neighbors. Ask them if they need anything. Help them. Cook for them. Be kind. Be loving. Pray for and with them. SHARE from the overflow of what God has given us!
What better times than these….
Brothers and Sisters, God placed us in this present time for such a time as this…Fears, faults, shortcomings and all. And we can truly do what HE has called us to do, not based on who we are, but on who HE IS and what HE can accomplish through us in spite of the battles of fear and faith.
Heidi Baker said it this way, “God is not looking for extraordinary, exceptionally gifted people, just laid-down lovers of Jesus who will carry His glory with transparency and not take it for themselves.”
I am not extraordinary, exceptionally gifted, or even the best Christian I can be, but He is working in my life to grow me into a faith-filled woman on a mission for Him.
All glory, honor, and praise are His.
Soli Deo Gloria
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Meet the Blogger – Read Laura Robinson’s Bio
Laura is an avid reader, storyteller, and chaser of Jesus sharing bits and pieces of her view from beneath HIS waterfall of grace…all for the glory of God.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I receive some much inspiration from all the blogs I read. All Glory and Honor to Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Our prayer at Waterfall of Grace is to encourage and inspire our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. May God receive all the glory He so desires. Amen!