Devotion for Monday, April 20

 

            We've been listening to a whole lot of back-and-forth lately about whether to "open up" the country or to continue to stay the course as far as social distancing and restrictions on businesses. No one seems to be able to quite make up their mind about what to do and when to do it. And despite the fact that some of us have opinions and preferences one way or the other, we're smart enough to know that that's all they are - opinions and preferences. Even the "experts" who have been studying trends, statistics and other data don't seem to be able to come to consensus about the efficacy of certain treatments or about when it may be safe to relax some of the precautions. Of course, the back-and-forth dialogue, in some cases, has turned into unpleasant rhetoric. Chaos seems to have become a daily part of our lives.

 

            The truth of the matter is that as advanced as we are as a society, we simply do not have all the answers, whether it's about coronavirus or a thousand other dilemmas. And sometimes we get an exceedingly rude reminder of that. This is one of those times. What we're going through right now is something we would never have imagined just a few months ago. Yet here we are, navigating the great unknown.

 

           You know as well as I do that we don't do well with uncertainty. We want to see a clear path in front of us. We want to know what to expect tomorrow and the day after that. But right now, we don't have that. What we do have is a God who walks beside us in that uncertainty, who calms our fears and who shines a light on the path ahead of us - it might be ever so dim, but it's enough.

 

           I'd like to share with you a Scripture passage that has the power to get us through our days. I invite you to take the time to read it aloud slowly several times. Ask God to give you some new insights into His Word to you today. Use it as the basis of your prayer time. Journal about what God is saying to you through this passage. And take both comfort and courage in knowing that God is with you today.

 

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4: 6-7

 

                                                             Pastor Janice

 

Let's pray: Lord, today I pray for peace and patience in this time of uncertainty. Help me remember that you are in control even when it feels that the world is out of control. Remind me to trust you and to open myself to receive the gift you have for me each day - the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.