Everything has been stripped bare.Life as we know it came to a standstill almost a month ago. Schools, churches and businesses deemed "unessential" have shut their doors and reinvented how to continue providing services. Many states and countries around the world issued stay at home orders and want residents to stay home unless they are conducting necessary activities like grocery shopping or seeking medical attention. Life for many has slowed down to turtle speed from the once hectic pace of "normal" life. There is much more down time to fill. Opportunity for rest. The Coronavirus situation gives us opportunities. We can choose to long for the way things were; complain about not being able to go out for dinner; panic about any losses of income...or... We can take this opportunity to examine our priorities in life. What did we fill our time with before? Were all those activities critical to a happy, full life? Am I in the right career? Am I using my gifts and talents for God's purposes or to make me wealthy? Most likely much of which we deemed critical before COVID-19 changed our lives has been exposed as unessential. Coronavirus gives us more time for quiet reflection, to connect on a deeper level with God. This is an opportunity to give yourself much needed time and space to hear what God's will is for your life. God, who speaks in a still, small voice, cannot be heard amid the hustle and noise of "normal" life. We have to slow down to "quarintine" pace to hear and connect with Him. The Coronavirus moved the whole world toward simplicity. Everything unnecessary has been stripped away and we are back to the basics. In the physical- Food. Water. Shelter. In the spiritual- Faith. Hope. Love. God desires a full relationship with each individual He created. With our simplified lives, we have space for a fuller relationship with God. The things that crowded Him out before are no longer there. God is seeking us, I feel Him stirring my heart to seek after Him, to find a more meaningful life in the simplicity forced upon us. I was drawn to and started reading a book in my library- 'Tis a Gift to be Simple: Embracing the Freedom of Living with Less, by Barbara and David Sorensen. I don't want to waste this opportunity. I know many of us long to get back to church to our normal corporate worship services. I admit, I miss them too. But let us not miss the opportunity to seek God's will for us individually at this time. As we connect deeper with God and hear His will for each of us, we are strenthening the whole Body of Christ. Discovering the work He created us for and developing a fuller relationship with Him allows us to encourage others to do the same. Imagine the revival that could follow. Embracing and carrying this simplified life into "normal" life could bring the changes we have been praying for in our country and the world. Celebrating Easter Simplified.I have heard many lament the inability to gather together to celebrate Easter Sunday with the usual church productions. Yes, it will be different from we are all used to, but it doesn't have to be any less of a celebration.
Jesus didn't rise from the dead with any sort of procession. He simply left the tomb empty and allowed a couple of angels to announce the good news to his friends. Jesus then appeared to his disciples and friends personally. Maybe we can take this simplified and more personal approach to our Easter celebrations as well. We can share the good news that Jesus triumphed over death and sin and what a difference having him as a friend has made in our lives. We can take time to read the Easter story from the bible and pray together as a family. We can do simple things to show God's love to one another. Isn't that the most important thing in life anyway? When asked, Jesus told the Jewish leader the greatest commandment is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these," (Matthew 12:30-31). This Easter is an opportunity for us as believers to go back to the basics. We can love on each other, share our faith, and bring hope to desperate times with the good news of Jesus! Let's not miss all the opportunities that this Coronavirus situation brings!
1 Comment
Patty
4/10/2020 05:49:03 am
I don’t want to miss the opportunity God has set before me either! This simplified life is a blessing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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AuthorJessica Mutunga is passionate about good simple living that focuses on relationships, food and creating a supportive healthy environment. She is The Light Way Coach. Archives
May 2022
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