How have you been feeling this year?
I’ve been wondering how you are all feeling?
We have been living in very uncertain times. At times, we may have been afraid almost to leave our homes. Even now, we are very cautious when out and about. Physical contact is still often limited, even to greet each other.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many industries. Many people have lost jobs, can’t pay their rent and are struggling to put food on the table. I have been asking the question: “What does God want me to be doing during this period?” As always, God never refuses to answer my questions.
Again, the answer came through my four-year-old grandson, Luke. He was overheard having a conversation with his four-year-old neighbour (we will call him Ben*). It went something like this:
Luke: Ben do you know God?
Ben: Who’s Dog?
Luke: God, you know — you read about him in the Bible.
It hit me like a tonne of bricks. God’s answer was clear. He wanted me to do what he commissioned all of us to do in Matthew 28:18–20:
Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He just wants us to have those simple natural conversations as we go about our daily life. It might be with neighbours, friends or complete strangers. Not forcing the issue, but if the opportunity arises, introducing others to our most precious friend Jesus. You see, the world may have changed, but God is the same. We are here to do his work. And the work he has given us to do, is to tell others about his son Jesus. His message is the same, yesterday today and forever, no matter the circumstances. Sometimes telling others about Jesus can be scary — perhaps for some even more scary than the virus — but don’t be afraid my dear friends! He does not expect us to do this alone. He has promised that he will be with us to the very end!
Tracey
Harbour Region
*Name changed for privacy reasons