Verses/Bible

The Significance of Touch.

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One day, Jesus had just finished teaching and healing a lot of people. A man with a skin disease (called a leper) came up to him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me well.” Jesus looked at the man and told him he was willing. Then, Jesus did something amazing. He touched the man and the man was clean! His disease was gone and he was healed! (This story is taken from Matthew 8:1-11.)

As I studied this story this week, I looked more into lepers and their place in society. I knew they were considered “unclean” and “untouchable” since their disease could be spread easily. I knew they lived outside of the city in communities with other lepers. And I knew they often didn’t have any human touch. But the thing I discovered this week was that there was a law that said lepers had to stay at least 6 feet away from other people! SIX FEET!

Now, if you are reading this in the Covid-19 season, you see the significance of this. Right now, most places require a 6 foot distance between you and another person not in your household. Apparently there is something to the whole 6-foot rule after all! 😉

Reading this during the pandemic has given me a new perspective on this story. It is so significant that Jesus reaches out and touches the man. He goes against what the law said. He goes against what society said was good and right. He goes against what those around him said was appropriate.

And Jesus touches the man. He touches someone who has probably not had human contact in years. He puts himself in a vulnerable place. This is significant.

During this pandemic, we are asked to stay six-feet away from others and wear masks in most public places. These are laws that have been put in action to keep people safe and reduce the load the health care system is caring right now. I know these are not my favorite or your favorite rules, but if they help make others who are immune compromised feel safe, I will continue to do this when around them. But, this is not meant to be a post about masks, or no masks, or the division masks have created in our society.

Instead, this is a post simply noting that ways Jesus interacted with others. He leaned in. He stepped in. He stood in the gap. He put himself in a vulnerable place by touching someone with an infectious disease.

So I ask you to consider, who around you do you need to lean into? Where can you stand in the gap? How can you go the extra mile and love someone well?

In this pandemic, maybe that means giving a hug to a single person who is living alone and doesn’t have much human contact right now. Maybe that means spending extra time on phone calls with friends and family who are spending time by themselves. Maybe it means checking in on people more frequently, or inviting neighbors into your home. Maybe it simply means saying hello to people at the grocery store or a restaurant, even if the whole mask thing is hard and feels restricting. As Christians, we can continue to be people who love well in this season, masks or no masks. The commands of Jesus are the same: to love Him and love others. And I can tell you, as a single person, that touch is significant and I have loved getting hugs from friends and family! Even for those who don’t “love” hugs, right now, I bet that most people you know would love another hug. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone.

God created us for community… community with Him and community with one another. We do not need to let this season create further distance and isolation between us. We need to see those who are prone to isolation and lean in. We need to reach out and touch them, reminding them that there is hope.

This pandemic will not last forever, and this pandemic was not a surprise to God. He is fully aware of our lives right now, and how they were different 9 months ago, and what they will be like 9 months from now. In every season, we can have trust that God is in control. We have hope that goes beyond this broken world, and this is the season the world needs to hear of this hope.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

Transitions.

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“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

-Winnie the Pooh

Moving is always hard because it is always filled with mixed emotions.

As I have considered my transition from Texas back to Colorado, I’ve thought, “Why is this move so hard?” And then I’ve realized that it’s because this was an unexpected transition. Every other move I have made has come at the end of something significant with a specific and known end date. For example, when I graduated High School and moved to Oklahoma for college. There was a specific date that high school would end and college would begin. The same thing happened at the end of college. Those goodbyes were hard, but we were expecting them to be hard for months. We had time to prepare for goodbyes, craft all the right words, and do all of the best things together before the transition hit.

This time it was different. This time the transition was not predicted or expected. It was not something that was set to hit after being in one place for five years. That means that all of those emotions hit in new ways. I have had days where I’m flooded with emotions and have been so sad to not be around “my people” anymore. I had to say goodbye to people that I love in big groups and in ways where I simply didn’t have the words to express everything they mean to me.

Leaving a place you love is hard. …But to be honest, I never really “loved” Texas like true Texans do. What is truly hard about leaving is the people. I love the people I have grown to know over the past five years. And they know me. To be known and loved is an incredible feeling.

During my last few weeks and days leading up to the big move, many people expressed how excited I must be to get to be close to my family again. That is very true. I am so excited to be close to my parents again after nine years away (and maybe one day my brother and sister-in-law will join us too…). But my family is also in Texas. I have lived with several families, spent uncountable meals with others, been to all the big events (graduations, recitals, games) with others, and with some, it’s simply been living normal life with them and doing everyday things. And that is family. Those people are my family. They are my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews…my family. They invited me into everyday things and let me be part of their immediate family while I was away from my immediate family.

And to those individuals, families, parents, and children… I am forever grateful. They are the family I will miss living back in Colorado. They are the family I will miss going to the grocery store with, stopping by their homes on walks, and eating meals around their tables.

If you have experienced a move recently, or maybe you have had a close friend move away recently, I encourage you to continue in steadfast prayer for one another. Remember that God has not changed and He is still the same God no matter what location you live in or who lives close to you. He is a God we can trust in the transitions, laments, and everything in between. He provides all that we need, even new friends and family. …But he has also given us technology and Facetime, so use that as a good grace during and after transitions 😉

To my Texas Family, I love you. I miss you. And I am grateful for you.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6 (ESV)

The Mountains Are Calling.

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I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and loved my childhood. It included building snow-forts, sledding down our neighborhood hill, playing baseball in our backyard, running cross country at my high school, and countless friends enjoying our basement, which was full of games and adventure!

I don’t think I really realized the joy of living in Colorado until I left for college. I went to school at Oklahoma Baptist University to run on their track and cross country team. I loved my team and have some great memories from that place. But the question I got every time I met someone new was, “Why did you leave Colorado?”

My mom always said the same thing. Both of my parents grew up in Texas and much of our family still lives there. We moved from Texas to Colorado when I was four, so I don’t really remember much of Texas.

I ended up back in Texas after college to work at The Village Church in the middle school ministry. It was a dream job! I have felt called to student ministry since my senior year of college. That’s when I began to look for internships at churches so I could learn more about life in ministry and gain some hands on experience. Joining the staff at The Village was an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and get the experience I needed.

I intended to only be in Dallas for the one year internship and then move again. But God had different plans. He allowed me to stay, grow, and be planted there for five years, almost exactly to the day.

During those five years I grew in my understanding of God and in my experience as a Bible teacher, and I grew to deeply love the Church, Christ’s Bride. I also went through trials during these years, like anxiety and depression, loss of friendships, and difficult health issues. Yet, God also allowed me to get to know some incredible people I would call family for the rest of my life.

Towards the end of last year (around October) I started to feel the Lord calling me into something new but I wasn’t sure what it was. I thought it was a new season at TVC, but once Covid hit, I thought maybe it was simply a different pace in student ministry and a time to rest. I continued to feel like the Lord was asking me to transition, but I was unsure what door He would open.

As summer began (and all of our events were canceled for students) I had some time in Colorado planned. My first trip was a backpacking trip with some friends. During this trip, I was able to spend some time asking God what He was doing in my life and where He wanted me to walk. Was it something new at TVC? Was it something new with students? Was it in a new place? I returned from that trip with a lot of questions and very few answers.

“Go to the place I will send you.”

I began to pray and fast, seeking more specific answers from God. And slowly, the Lord opened up doors. I was still really confused on what to do specifically and what he was doing, mostly because there seemed to be two really great doors opened to me.

When you come to a crossroad in life, what do you do? Well, if you are like me, you are first grateful for the options but also terrified of choosing the wrong one. Because of this, I needed some time and space to process and pray. I didn’t want to stay or go or move at all unless the Lord was in it.

So I prayed.

And prayed.

And prayed.

I asked some close friends to pray with and for me.

And then I prayed some more.

Slowly, He began to remind me of my childhood, of a people I love, of the place I go every time I get a free weekend and friend willing to join an adventure. He began to open up doors for a move back to my home state, just one hour from home.

This is a sweet gift. One I did not accept lightly. It was the most difficult decision I have had to make to this day. And yet, God was in it all. He guided me through conversations with others and by His word. He led me beside quiet waters to restore me and remind me that I belong to Him. He led me as a good shepherd does, reminding me that no matter where I go, He is the same God.

It was hard to say goodbye to friends in Texas, and even harder to say goodbye to those friends I call family. But I know that we still worship the same God. I know that God is still with them even when I can’t be there with them physically. I trust that God will watch over them just as He is watching over me.

Overall, I am grateful even amidst the sad and hard goodbyes. I’m grateful because God led me back to a place my heart has desired to go, to minister to a people a long to see redeemed, and to a place I feel the closest to God. He has called me to this place and given me a confidence that this is where I am to be planted right now.

My prayer for Colorado (and Arvada) is that they would know the God who molded the mountains, formed the forests, and spoke the stars into being. My prayer is that the people of Colorado would not just enjoy His creation but would recognize that there is a Creator, who also made them.

Would you join me in praying for this people (my neighbors) to know, love, and worship the one true God?! He is more than able! I am confident that He has called me and others to this place to be ministers of the gospel here, and to bring hope to a dark and dying world. I am eager to see God work and excited to join all that He is doing!

‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)

Aspen Trees.

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A new habit I want to start with Sabbath-keeping is spending an hour or so just being fascinated with something that God created. I love learning about new things and how they work. I decided that Aspen trees would be my first hour long fascination, and here’s what I learned.

Aspens grow primarily in North America. In fact, they are the most widespread tree in all of North America! They grow in a variety of types of soils and are highly intolerant of shade. They must have sunlight. The Aspen tree is an aggressive, pioneer species. That means that they take over spaces easily and grow fairly quickly. Their bark is lightweight and doesn’t splinter, and they are not as flammable as most other species of trees.

The Aspen leaves are beautiful. Seriously, take some time to look at the leaves next time you see as Aspen tree. They have flattened stems that allow the leaves to “quake” or “shake” (which is why Aspens are often called “Quaking Aspens”). This also allows the trees to receive the maximum amount of sunlight since they can rotate easily in the wind.

And if you haven’t seen Aspen trees in the fall, you are wrong. The color of the leaves will blow you away. Seriously. Buy a ticket to Colorado for the fall and experience the most beautiful colors ever.

The Aspen is also the world’s largest living organism. This is because of how they reproduce. The Aspen can reproduce like other plants with a seed that is planted in the soil, but most Aspen seeds don’t survive well that way. The majority of Aspen trees that you see in one area are all connected. In fact, they are typically clones of the same tree with an identical genetic makeup! The Aspen tree sends its roots out really broadly, and smaller shoots pop up from the root system and into the sunlight, making a new tree.

I found the information above about the ways they are all connected very interesting. But since I grew up in Colorado and learned about Aspens as a child, I was familiar with this concept.

Yet, the idea that really caught my attention was the way Aspen trees interact with fire. Fire is actually a necessary ingredient for the well being of Aspen tree forests. Think back to the root system I described. If their roots are far reaching and deep enough, the fire will not truly burn down the entire forest, just what’s on the surface. Fires clear out other invading species that are fighting to take the sunlight and soil the Aspen trees need. Once the fire is out, all that is left is a perfectly cleared out forest with tons of underground Aspen roots ready to pop out of the ground and start growing freely without competition from other trees! They instantly have a ton of sunlight and lots of space to grow due to the impact of the fire.

So what does all of this have to do with life? How does this change my view of God and my understanding of the world?

Often we associate fire with suffering, hardship, grief, and lament. Fire seems to be something that is uncontrollable, harmful, powerful, and often, deadly. In life when it feels like we are going through a fire, life typically feels hard, heavy, and defeating.

When I think about how Aspen trees need fire to continue to thrive, I think about how suffering is part of the human experience. Suffering, hardship, grief, loss…these are all things that every human on earth experiences at various times in life. These seasons are extremely difficult, and in some cases, they feel like death. Yet, in every case of suffering, the individual comes out stronger in one way or another.

Suffering is a necessary ingredient of the human experience. Suffering reminds us that we are finite, frail and fragile beings. God created humans in the beginning without suffering. Yet, because of sin, we all experience suffering in various ways, at various degrees, and at various times. And it is necessary. God uses suffering to remind us that this is not how the world is supposed to be. He uses suffering to point us back to Himself, because He is the one that is unchanging, always remains faithful, and is with us even in suffering.

So if you find yourself in a season of suffering right now, I pray that you are reminded of the goodness of God in it all. He sees you. He cares for you. And even if it feels like there is a fire on the surface of your life, look back to the deep roots of your soul and know that God has not abandoned you. He uses suffering in uncountable ways, often in ways we do not understand.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:7

Pick Up Your Armor. And Fight!

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Sin is a battle. And lies are the fuel behind the sin. It must be fought.

The Bible tells us about special weapons we can use to fight against the enemy. And those who belong to His Kingdom are equipped with these weapons.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

Ephesians 6:10-17

Each piece of armor described above in the book of Ephesians is to be used by the Children of God. When I read this passage I often think back to the book I read as a child countless times, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. In this book we see Aslan give each of the children a specific and special gift, which is helpful to fight against the enemy. In the same way, God gives His children specific gifts to be used against the true enemy of this world. Yes, He gives each child specific gifts, but He also gives all of His children these pieces of armor to fight.

Armor is not meant to sit on the floor. A sword isn’t meant to just cut the Christmas ham at the family table. Nor are you to put on your shoes and stay on the couch. Each armor article is used for a specific thing and is meant to be used by God’s Children to fight for the Kingdom.

Is your armor on the floor? Do you need to pick it up? Spend time reading through this passage slowly and thinking about each piece. Put it all on and use it to fight against our true enemy. He is not flesh and blood, but rather lies, deception, and twisted truths.

And the only way to fight against the sin of this world, the sin in your heart and life, and the lies you are believing as truth… is to fight. But you must go into battle with the right equipment, not a butter knife and baseball hat. You must fight. You must not give up. And you must rely on the Spirit of God to lead and guide you as you go.

The Added Despair of Good Friday This Year.

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Good Friday, the day we remember the trial, crucifixion, and death of our Savior, is already a day of darkness and mourning for the Christian believer. This year, amidst Covid-19 and social distancing, there is an added layer of despair, loss, and loneliness we will all feel this year.

Imagine for a moment that you were one of Jesus’ disciples or a close follower of His. You went with Him everywhere. You saw the miracles He did. You witnessed the nearness to the Father that was displayed in his every word and action. You believed He was the Messiah, the long awaited King who would bring the true Kingdom. And you believed He came to prepare for war, a war against Rome.

But then He was carried away, put on trial, beated, mocked, and hung on a cross.

And then, He died.

Wait, what?! He was supposed to be the Messiah, the Savior, the King! And He died?! He was supposed to save Israel from Rome! Image the despair, loss, confusion, and grief that those who followed Him and looked to Him for hope and rescue felt on that day.

I imagine it was a feeling of deep separation, a feeling of incredible despair, and a feeling of disorientation. I imagine it was hard to get up the next day and go about life. And I imagine there were a lot of tears shed and prayers of confusion uttered through it all.

So maybe this is a helpful season to be in as we celebrate Holy Week. Consider how you can relate all the more to the despair of those who followed Jesus closely. We have so many of those same types of feelings right now. We feel loss of nearness to others because of social distancing. We feel disoriented with reality and the uncertain about the future. We grieve over the things we have lost, and those who have lost loved ones. We shed tears and utter prayers asking God, “Why is this happening?”

This year, we may have an added despair of Good Friday, and that is okay. I think there may even be a new type of sadness that is also felt on Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection in individual households because we are unable to gather together. And that is okay.

God sees your tears. He knows your feelings of loss and grief. And He has not abandoned us.

Holy Week is a reminder that He is the one true King! He came to die for our sins and to bring the Kingdom of God. Satan was the enemy He came to fight, and the grave shows His victory for all who would trust in Him!

This year will look different than any other Easter celebration, but maybe it will help guide us closer to Our Savior with greater dependence on Our God. Maybe it will cause us to understand in a new way the depth of sacrifice Jesus gave to bring us near. Maybe, just maybe, it will stir up a deeper gratitude and affection for Jesus. And if that is the case, then praise be to God! For His alone is worthy!

Make Me Like Caleb.

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Today I was reading in the book of Joshua, chapter 14. In this chapter we see Caleb talking to Joshua, but first a little backstory:

Joshua and Caleb have been part of the biblical narrative at this point for a long time. They were part of the group that was sent by Moses to spy out the land. But Joshua and Caleb were unique even in that group because they were the only honest men who returned. They remained tethered to the Lord and faithful to Him. The rest of the group made the people’s hearts “melt with fear” but Joshua and Caleb remained steadfast to the Lord. They were the only two allowed to live long enough to enter the promised land. Joshua now leads the Israelites and they have just defeated Jericho along with a slew of other nations.

Now, let’s get back to chapter 14. We know (because the text tells us) that Caleb is 85 years old. Joshua and Caleb are the oldest people in the nation of Israel since all of their peers and elders were killed prior to entering the land they are now taking. So it is likely that Joshua and Caleb have this sort of power, influence, and respect from the rest of the people.

In chapter 14 we see Caleb speak with Joshua. If you have time, go and read Joshua 14:6-15. It’s worth the read. The thing that stood out to me is how Caleb described himself. In verse 8 he says, “I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” Wow. What a statement to make about yourself, especially in comparison to other people.

But I don’t believe this statement is proud or self-serving. This is true. Both Caleb and Joshua are described in this way by others throughout the scriptures. We even see that Moses said this about them! So we can know that Caleb is not full of pride in this moment.

As I read this statement though, I began to think, “I want to be able to say that about my life, and I want others to describe me in that way too!” How incredible would it be to live a live of following the Lord wholeheartedly and to be known by that.

I want to be like Caleb. I want to follow the Lord wholeheartedly until the end of my days. And I want others to know that the LORD is who I follow in all circumstances of life. I don’t want to follow God with lukewarm faith or with “half-trust” or with more faith in myself than in Him. No! I want a full, wholehearted trust and following all of my days!

I can’t imagine all that Joshua and Caleb went through in their lives. They saw the promised land, and then had to wait to enter it. While they waited all of their friends, parents, and other elders of the community died. They experienced a lot of loss. And yet, the Bible would describe both of these men as those who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Clearly they remained steadfast and tethered to the Lord in some difficult times.

Today, I pray that these words encourage you as much as they encourage me. Take some time to think about what this means in your life to “follow God wholeheartedly.” What needs to change for this to be true of you?

Friends, He is worth it all. I want to give up my life to follow Jesus with my whole heart for all of my days, and I will do that without hesitation because I know that life with Him is the only way to truly live.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 4:11 (NIV)

Being Grounded in Gratitude.

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We are all in a season of loss. There are lot of things around us we are losing amidst “shelter-in-place” orders, sickness, and uncertainties of the future. Some of us may be experiencing more loss than others, but we know the feeling of loss well, especially right now.

Maybe the loss you are experiencing is present…loss of connecting with community, loss of physical touch if you live by yourself, loss of sanity if you are now both mom and teacher, or loss of a job. Maybe the loss you are experiencing is future oriented…no future securities, postponed weddings, or canceled vacations. But whatever the losses you are experiencing are, they are significant and the Lord sees those things that you have had to give up or have been taken from you over the last few weeks.

I was listening to a study on anxiety the other day and they were talking about how the brain works… which, side note, I think the brain is fascinating and if you have any good books that are not super technical, I would love to read those!! Anyways, they were saying that the pathways used in our brains that indicate anxiety, worry, and stress are the same ones used for gratitude and thanksgiving! So it’s actually impossible to be anxious and grateful at the same time.

I started to think about that, and was curious, “Is that really true? Can I experience a feeling of anxiety while I’m also experiencing gratitude?” And as I thought I about this, I came to the conclusion that this is true!

Now I know that there are a LOT of types of anxiety and that anxiety can also be a clinical diagnosis which requires medication and professional help. I think medication and professional help are both good and right places to go in the midst of anxiety. And I encourage my friends who experience this deep, clinical level of anxiety to use those good graces given to us for help. This is good and right.

I also think that there is something behind the science of our brains and that gratitude is a really helpful thing to consider. We can be grounded in gratitude because it reorients our minds to focus on the things that are truly important. We are forced, in gratitude, to look beyond our present situation or circumstance. We are required to shift our emotions to be grateful, even if it’s just for a moment.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

So in this season of uncertainty and loss, I encourage you to be grateful. Begin and end each day with writing down something you are grateful for. Try to be specific. Instead of being thankful for “another day” be specific about what you are thankful for. Maybe it’s that the sunshine feels warm on your skin. Or maybe you are thankful for the time you have today to watch a movie with your roommates and relax with them. Maybe you are thankful for the trees that are blossoming outside your window because they remind you that God is still at work and continues to care for even the trees and flowers.

Be grateful. And let your mind, emotions, and experiences in this world be grounded in gratitude. Spending time in thanksgiving does something to your brain, and through I don’t know all the specific scientific terms and chemistry dynamics, I know that change happens because I experience a changed mindset and renewed perspective in the midst of gratitude.

So if you feel anxious today about another day doing the same things again in your home, or you feel that deep sense of loss as you cancel yet another plan you were looking forward to, stop and take a moment to be grateful. Let gratitude ground you in what is true as the Lord of heaven and earth refocuses your mind on His eternal Kingdom and forever reign!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

You are Much More Valuable.

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25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

I think a lot of us need to take a moment and read through those verses slowly right now. And hey, we have the time… am I right?! So do that right now. Go back and read those verses slowly.

COVID-19 has been a disorienting and incredibly intense situation to watch unfold over the last few weeks. And yet, I just have a deeper and greater hope in the reality that God is with us, He sees us, and He cares for us.

Matthew 6:25-34 give us some really great truths to hold on to. Obviously, the main idea in this passage is “Do not worry.” Jesus is guiding his hearers to truth by pointing them to trust that God is the one who is in control and who cares for His world. He is asking His hearers to have a new perspective and understanding by reminding them that there is One True King who is Lord over all!

Jesus supports the idea of “do not worry” by talking about two examples: the birds and the flowers. These are both things that are pretty common and we see them often. Jesus says that the birds do not store up food or worry about tomorrow. They live day-by-day, trusting that they will be provided for. And God provides for them day after day after day. If God cares for the birds, who fly around everywhere, sometimes are very annoying to us, and who are not made in the image of God, how much more does He care for YOU!?

“Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Matthew 6:26b

Then Jesus tells us about the flowers, or lilies of the field. These are actually wildflowers… just simple flowers that grow in a field that no one cares for or tends to. Many of these flowers that pop up will not even be seen by the human eye! And yet, God cares for them. He sees them and calls them beautiful and valuable. How much more, friend, does God care for you…who are made in His image and lasts far longer than the flowers which wither quickly and fade away? You are so much more valuable.

“…will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”

Matthew 6:30b

I love that in each of these examples, Jesus points our attention to our value being “much more” than the birds and the flowers. Both of these things seem so delicate and dependent. Jesus reminds us that we are of so much more value than these, helping us gain a perspective on life where God is the true King. If we understand our right position as image bearers and children, and trust God to be in charge, then we have no need of worry because we serve a good King who knows each of our needs!

The Lord was so kind to have me teach our middle school students on the verses above at our last gathering as a group for the foreseeable future. How kind is the Lord to leave those students and leaders with the message of “Do not worry” and “You are much more valuable than the birds and flowers!” Incredibly kind.

So today, I hope you hear the truths of these verses: Do not worry, for you are much more valuable than they! In the midst of constant change and alarming news, may you find security, safety, and stability in the words of Jesus, proclaimed 2,000 years ago on a mountainside across the world. Be encouraged, and set your perspective in the right place… on the One True King who is still ruling and reigning amidst it all. Then find someone else to encourage today! You are dearly loved, so do not worry.

The Disorienting Nature of COVID-19.

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Right now, I was supposed to be on the West Coast feeling the cool ocean breeze and hugging giant trees. But I’m not. The reality is, we all have things we were looking forward to over the next few days or weeks that have now been suspended, postponed, or canceled. COVID-19 is disorienting.

It’s easy to watch the news and hear about disasters and hardship in other places and not really feel it for yourself. Sure, maybe you can relate to some of the reports but you likely can’t relate to them all, nor can you actually know and experience what those people are experiencing at that very moment.

The coronavirus is different. With the first case reported on December 31, 2019 in China, it was easy to see that event and not believe it would effect that many people. And then it spread… quickly. This virus seemed to make the news almost overnight as it reached country after country, eventually landing in the United States.

Now we begin to feel it because now it affects us…in fact, it affects every single person on the planet. It’s affecting our friends and family living in other countries. It’s affecting our loved ones living in the U.S. in different states. And it’s affecting us… our plans, our hopes, and our day-to-day lives.

And for me, this is disorienting.

We don’t really seem to have a category to put our current lifestyle into. We walk around with caution, buy things in haste to stay prepared, and obsessively check the news. Some are responding with extreme caution while others are not missing a beat and continuing with their lives. But everyone is slowly becoming more and more aware to the reality and seriousness of this pandemic.

The feeling of disorientation is strange and seems to cause panic, frustration, and fear. No one likes this feeling because it feels out of control, with no stability. And let’s be honest, we all really like being in control.

Yet, in the midst of this disorienting time, there is a place we can go to find certainty, hope, and peace. That place is the Word of God, the Bible.

Taking time to sit in the presence of the Lord reorients us to what is true. The Bible tells us over and over again about how God is a safe refuge, a good Father, a shield, a rock, a fortress, a healer, and most importantly, He is God with us! Therefore, we can listen and respond to the most common command that God gives His people: “Do not fear.”

God tells His people to not fear because He is with them, He is in control, and He is a trustworthy and good God. He tells us not to worry because He cares for us and sees our needs. God reminds us that when we put our hope in the things of this world, they always leave us feeling empty, yet hope in God is certain and true.

I pray that today you would find time to take your cares, concerns, worries, and fears to the Lord, the God of heaven and earth. He is aware of what is going on, has not abandoned us, and deeply desires for His name to be glorified, even amidst the chaos of today. I pray that you would put your hope in Jesus, looking into God’s Word to see the beauty and grace of all that He is and all that He has done. Even through these are disorienting times, God is calling people to Himself and opening the door for people to put their full trust and hope in Him! And He is more than able to save!

Friends, we can have a certain, unswaying, and strong hope that goes beyond the cure of a virus or containment of the chaos. We can have a hope that reorients us to what is true. And that hope is in JESUS. Full, flourishing life is found only by trusting in His name. Run to Him today and let Him reorient you to truth. (And read the verse below. It’s my favorite verse and a great one to cling to in the days to come!)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)

P.S. Here are some other verses that may give you hope, peace, and rest, helping you to be reoriented to the truth today. Feel free to comment below with some of your favorite verses as well!