Of Partnerships and Peace

I’m one of those people who enjoy grocery shopping. I sometimes see it as my ‘me-time’ as I take that time to do some reflection. However, in the past couple of weeks, going to the stores has been like a chore that, for a lack of words I would say, I dread. You look in the aisles for an essential item, a very essential one at that, and your heart sinks. It's either empty or the ones available are ridiculously expensive. Oh, if I could get a dollar for every time I said to myself “No way am I buying this for THAT price!”.

I remember on one of such occasions, I almost began to feel a sense of fear mixed with disbelief (disbelief directed at the panic buyers). I started to question if my decision to be “careful about nothing” was the right one. I just wasn’t sure if I was prepared enough for what was coming as speculated by the news.

I had heard people recounting how well they had stocked up, from colleagues to friends and random people on the streets. There I was hoping that the pandemic wouldn’t get worse. What if I couldn’t get an essential item such as nappies for my toddler? While thinking about this, I realised straightaway where ‘that thought’ was coming from. I knew that I had started to partner with fear. On my way home from the store, I turned on the radio to my default station and the song being played was by Zach Williams – Fear is a liar (thanks to Vision Christian radio!). Pondering on the lyrics of the song:

“Fear he is a liar, he will rob your rest, Steal your happiness, Cast your fear in the fire, ‘Cause fear he is a liar”.

Now – this - right- here- got- me.

I saw what the enemy was trying to do. He wanted me to panic, lose my joy, shift my focus to what’s less important and in the process not trust the One who knows the end from the beginning. Prior to that, I had had the privilege to attend a Christian ladies’ hangout once a week (just before the social distancing rules became more stringent) and listening to those godly women speak about their unshakeable faith in God reminded me of how much God is mindful of His children (Thanks Sara and the girls, what blessings!).

Now in no way does this diminish the importance of forward-planning. By all means plan! I mean even the ants do that, don’t they? It’s okay to do the needful, but while we are at it, let’s be grateful for what we have and not allow our joy to be stolen.

I spoke with a dear friend of mine some time last week and she echoed the same thought that was being impressed upon my spirit. I’ll try and quote her verbatim “I feel like the Father is craving the souls of his children to draw near to Him at this time”. There you have it!

As most churches cannot physically congregate, it is now easier to lose sight of togetherness, fellowship and personal spiritual growth. After all, you can be in your pyjamas and still be part of the church service nowadays. Yay for the jammies though! Who would have thought that that day would come in our lifetime? But you see, that’s beside the point.

Thing is, Matthew 24:12 is gold “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold”. If there is something a believer should not fall prey to in this season, it is your love for God growing cold. In the way we tend to worry more and trust less thereby underrating the efficacy of God’s word, in the way we may or may not criticize the efforts of constituted authorities, in the way we handle fellowship with God, the list is endless.

Bottom line: Let us not allow these affairs to freeze the pure love of God in our hearts. Now’s the time to study the Word more, connect with fellow believers more, pray for the sick and the nations of the world and remind ourselves of what Christ has already promised.

Sometimes physical measures can help. It can mean being deliberate about what you listen to and talk about. Since our hearts have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we get to choose who and what we partner with. We get to choose faith over fear.

I’ll leave you with this word the Lord reminded me of two weeks ago. Psalms 121:5 “The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand”.

Stay victorious and keep safe.

Shalom!

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