"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Amid these very uncertain times, it’s tough to know what people are going through or have been through. Some might have lost a loved one due to this pandemic and may still be grieving, or some may have had the virus themselves, and as a result, their lives have been impacted in one way or another. Or even so, someone they know might be going through the pain at this present time. Not everyone is open and instead may prefer to keep these things to themselves. Just because they aren’t publicly showing their emotions, doesn't mean they are not going through something themselves.
This is why it’s so important to always show love and kindness to everyone you come across. The kind words or actions that you do, may brighten the other person’s day. It says in Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Someone may be going through something, but when a kind word is spoken, it can lift the other person, sometimes without us even knowing! PLUS, it costs nothing to speak kind and loving words! As a Christian, our primary goal is to show genuine love and kindness to everyone. Mark 12:31 reminds us to "Love your neighbour as yourself" and Colossians 3:12 says "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Since we are set apart as God’s chosen people, God desires us to show love to everyone at all times.
During this pandemic, many of us have relied on God to help us get through the many challenges that have arisen. This may be stress, worry, education, family, loss and anything and everything else. These things may have helped us put our full faith in God, knowing that he can sustain us through these times. As we have had faith in God throughout the most challenging times, we must not forget to have the same faith in our good days too. We must keep up this same faith through all aspects of life. When we are feeling low, remembering how God helped us through hard times should encourage us to continue to have faith in Him.
Remember that "we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7. We shouldn't look at our surroundings, but we must focus on God and live by faith. Our surroundings and our situations may deceive us and make us fall in doubt; however, by living with the faith we have, we can get through anything.
Following from this, we must not forget God for his protection over us. God is always watching over us and acts as our own personal protective shade (Psalm 121:5). Sometimes we may not even know it or we may even forget, but Gods hand is still carrying us. This is beautify depicted in Psalm 91. As thousands and thousands of people have lost their lives from this pandemic, we should be grateful that God has kept us alive and well.
One last thing, during this time, Churches have shut, and we have been used to having church and fellowship all online. This was great. Even though the physical church was closed, the body of Christ (the church- which is each one of us) was still able to worship God from the comfort of our own homes. We all adapted quite quickly to it all. Most of us were even able to join in fellowship most days of the week as there were many services, bible studies, prayers etc. that we were available for us to join in with. I thought these were so amazing as we were able to connect with many likeminded people all over the world. However, we must remember that when Churches are back and open again, we must go back to fellowship there. You may have now adapted to online services at home, but this was to make up for the fact we couldn't meet in person. When this becomes available again, we should go back to the standard way of going to the physical church. It says in Hebrews 10:25 "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Matthew 18:20 also says, "For where two or three gathers in my name, there I am with them."
Pointing to the fact that God delights in the coming together of the church.
Stay blessed. Hermela
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