Be the loudest Voice for Jesus

Hello from down under. If anyone has had the dream of wanting to be a part of a dystopian themed movie, well, it sometimes does feel like it now or at least if all you see is the news, then you feel like it for sure.

I have been very cautious with how I engage with social media at the moment. Whilst it keeps us informed and enables us to stay in touch with others, it can definitely drag you onto a path that can feed into any fear related to the current situation. I want to thank everyone who has blessed others by putting out encouraging posts, it has been a comfort and an encouragement to share a view of a scary situation through the lens of people who call the Lord their God.

Thanks to a well connected day and age we get a snapshot of the response to not only people in our lives but we also get a sense of the pulse of the world in this case. I have seen a full gamut of various responses- fear, panic, denial, anger, humour and hope. And being bombarded with a flood of other peoples opinions or reactions can drown out the clarity of the voice of God in all of this. We unquestionably have to be intentional with what we are consuming and listen to the voice of our heavenly father to stay grounded in His Peace.

As we continue to take steps to care for and look after each other and ourselves, something that we as the people of God have been definitely thinking about is – Our response to a crisis. We do know that the best way to witness the presence of God in our lives is through our actions and our reactions.

What are your actions and reactions – to not just an overall response in an indirect way to the situation but more so to the everyday little things that are happening and affecting you directly?

How do you act and respond when you are directly affected by:

1. People who are rude, mean and selfish at the shops?
2. Someone who might have a risk of being in contact or contracting the virus and was careless and decided to not isolate?
3. The economic downturn as a consequence – loss of work or income?

It is one thing to be strong in general at this time but it is a whole another thing to act and respond with an assurance in His protection and provision when it is directly affecting you.

Do we embody a confidence in:

1.  His protection when you are in the vulnerable group and have come in contact with an infected person.
2. His provision when you have lost employment at the moment or your small business is struggling and you have a mountain of bills you know you will have to pay.

I pray that each one of us can operate out of a framework of Peace instead of Fear and live out our faith without traces of doubt. That would be the biggest testament of His grace in our lives. May we lean into His presence and rest in His care during this time.

The other aspect of our actions and reactions is to help and support those that God places in our path, I pray that we may be sensitive to the needs of others during this time.

Hebrews 13:16 “and do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

If we are uncertain of what to do, pray that He opens our eyes and hearts to a need in front of us. God has promised that He will “equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” (Hebrews 13:21)

A video on social media of a person in Italy playing his trumpet on his balcony for others during lockdown to spread some cheer and happiness was lauded and appreciated. We all cannot play the trumpet but what is our instrument to spread some cheer, some joy, some peace and hope into the space and community that we find ourselves in.

As we band together as a community and as one people may we be the loudest voice for Jesus in our space.  

God Bless and Stay safe.