Keep Pressing In!
Ok, so you’re staying home now, with 63.5 rolls of toilet paper left – or maybe you work for an essential service, and so, you are interacting with other folks without the ordained new instruction of “social distancing”. Either way, now that a little dust has settled from the initial shock of whatever this is – in creating a global crisis, whether orchestrated in whole, or part, by random contagion, human hands, elite entities, contagious fear, or a plain ole’ scheme; at the end of the day, we have to ask the question, what does God’s Word say about this?
I’m sure, in your new avenue of corporate worship, whether live streaming, Zoom calls of prayer and fellowship, or simply devotions on your own and/or with family – the issue and thoughts of fear have arisen, and we all battle it in varying degrees (0-210 degrees Fahrenheit)
Can we take a moment and look at this from a Spiritual perspective through the lens of Scripture? – because we all should know the starting point in identifying the root of all thought and action, originates in the spirit realm. I believe since we are all spirits first, surrounded by a cloak of humanness, and possessing a soul, we need to see the scheme of the enemy before we assess how our minds engage the circumstances of life as we know it. IF we can do this, I truly believe we can see our Father’s perspective in all of this – and when we do – we will not have to pray against fear, because He is Perfect Love – and we know the rest of that passage.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to do the NASCAR Drive Experience. When I arrived at Daytona Speedway, I had to sign several documents, at least 7 of which said that I was releasing NASCAR from any responsibility for my death, injury or dismemberment should a crash occur. I began to wonder in that moment how dangerous this driving experience really was. I also began to hear other people standing around, talking about how there were reports of people crashing and being killed on the track in previous years. Now, the temptation of fearing this was a thought initially, but I continued and went through the process. Following the orientation, I had to listen to a 1-hour class and an equipment overview. Once inside the car, I realized there was an experienced instructor sitting next to me – giving guidance every second on the track as to how to drive the track and what lines to follow. Let me tell you this – approaching the 31 degree turns at Daytona, going 160 mph, looks like a giant black wall which could end in a crash, until the car immediately leans left and the G-forces press you down and release on the outlet of the turn.
As I was praying through this issue of COVID-19 and how we, as believers, should respond, I felt like it was similar to my experience on the track. There was this voice in my ear the entire time telling me – “a little left”, “follow that line” – “more right, don’t let up on the accelerator”… See folks, we have the choice, whether or not to put on the flame resistant suit, the HANS neck device, the helmet with built-in communication, the 5 point restraint belts, and to decide to drive through the dangers while listening to that voice of guidance, versus rejecting the voice, while braking and skidding all over the place, possibly crashing.
What started as what could have been a fearful experience, turned into a most memorable moment in my life. This COVID thing could have you braking and skidding around in circles, fearing the unknown, and how people may respond – when the Father wants us all to listen to His voice, making small tweaks in our direction as we accelerate through the speedway of life in this season.
Galatians 3:29-4:3 says this: If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and co-heirs according to the promise. What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
Two thoughts here: ONE – The key here is the word PROMISE – when we are co-heirs to the promise, we do not COM-promise; meaning we do not waver in our thoughts and actions. This also applies as to how we respond to people who have no hope, walk in fear or a lack of restraint, and might cause issues based upon the failure of human systems which keep peace in our midst. We do not agree with the voices of doubt and dismay…These are times to excel in our faith and future.
Why are we at this point in our lives? I don’t know; but suffice it to say – we were designed by the Father to be here – for such a time as this. What is your purpose from the Father? Can you step on the accelerator and drive while listening to His voice tweaking your direction when going 160 mph?
TWO – Maturity – it is time to understand you are not a child, having your destiny held in trust by the “elemental spiritual forces of the world…” (vs.3) This is a time to grow up and out. Maybe He has a design change for your life. When unemployment hits, when a bad report about a family member comes to you – what will be your response?
The Corona Virus is a virtual bully – It attacks the weak; it has created enough fear worldwide to cause us NOT to touch each other, to distance ourselves, to put up defenses, and feel threatened by it and anyone who might exploit the situation – these are typical mafia-like tactics. However, the fact is, they are being instilled in society, (and we could argue how and what those are) and that is the aim. I am not saying that we should not take precautions – we absolutely should – I am saying our spiritual engagement should look different.
When you give in to a bully – you lose. We have been given weapons – to fight against strongholds (personal) and spiritual wickedness in high places (external) – to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. It’s time we utilize those, NOT just to fight – but to accelerate and gain ground. Our incredible General during WW2, George Patton said this – “Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.”
What will we do as believers during this season? Let’s make it an incredible testimony of His goodness in us! Jesus is Crowned with many Crowns! This crown must lay it down…(Corona=Crown en Espanol)
