Day Seventy Seven: Seeking Beauty From Ashes
As we start to open back up, the tendency is to think more about the wreckage before us than look for the beauty. I admittedly do tend to focus on the ugly, because that is what my eyes have been trained to see. We have been conditioned over the past three months-March, April and May to fear human touch. We've been told that it is lethal to even breathe normally without a mask. The government has cracked down hard on individuals that dare to defy their edicts. The damage that this reckless policy has done to communities across the nation is incalculable. There are many governors and other government officials that have blood on their hands.
I find myself asking as I start to see evidence of people fighting back against the tyranny, what role I should be taking here. One thing I would like to start focusing my mind on is finding the beauty among the ashes. I noticed that this crisis has scoured the heart of many people revealing their innermost character. Those people who shine out with compassion and love have the strong characteristics that I want to emulate. These are the characteristics that push forward when times get tough.
Inner beauty does come from our commitment to follow God, not man. It is the beauty of having compassion on those that are being deceived, instead of being angry. It is the beauty of spreading kind words when you really want to say hurtful words. It is committing yourself to block out negativity and seeking the positive in a very negative situation.
It isn't easy. In Proverbs 31:30 (KJV) we read: "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." This verse emphasizes outer beauty and favor. Many women and men have outer beauty, but no inner beauty. They are vain and self conceited, looking for the favor of men.
This transition period won't be easy. There are plenty of people who believe the lies and are even now cowering in their homes. They are afraid. I get that. If you believe everything you hear coming out of the news and social media, then there is good reason to be terrified. The sad part that some of these same people profess to be Christians. Their ears however have been blocked, and they can't see what's happening. I do have a few friends who are like that. They think I'm crazy for going outside without a mask, or longing to go to the store without a mask. I don't understand their fear, but am trying my best to respect it.
The problem is that they just don't trust God. God is working in a mighty way here, and will open those churches (those that aren't already open) that follow him and do his will. Those churches that remain closed will be those that God has ordained to close. Some will never open their doors again, because it is God's will. The closing of the churches has had a profound effect on the whole population. It sends a clear signal that these churches follow the government dictates and preach the wrong message to a soul hungry population. For those churches that say "We're open but not for you...We decided to cancel physical services indefinitely." The message is: "You will suffer the consequences of your actions. God will take the "light" out of your church...and you will no longer be considered a refuge from the storm."
I am reminded when I read Ecclesiastes 3:11(KJV) that "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." In other words, God knows the future. He makes beauty out of ashes, and he will make beauty out of the ashes of this current situation.
I leave you with these thoughts for over the weekend. Seek beauty in your surroundings. Go outside. Find a church that is physically open (there are a few) and worship. Thank the Lord that the evil schemes are being exposed for what they are, and pray for strength to face the coming days.
I find myself asking as I start to see evidence of people fighting back against the tyranny, what role I should be taking here. One thing I would like to start focusing my mind on is finding the beauty among the ashes. I noticed that this crisis has scoured the heart of many people revealing their innermost character. Those people who shine out with compassion and love have the strong characteristics that I want to emulate. These are the characteristics that push forward when times get tough.
Inner beauty does come from our commitment to follow God, not man. It is the beauty of having compassion on those that are being deceived, instead of being angry. It is the beauty of spreading kind words when you really want to say hurtful words. It is committing yourself to block out negativity and seeking the positive in a very negative situation.
It isn't easy. In Proverbs 31:30 (KJV) we read: "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." This verse emphasizes outer beauty and favor. Many women and men have outer beauty, but no inner beauty. They are vain and self conceited, looking for the favor of men.
This transition period won't be easy. There are plenty of people who believe the lies and are even now cowering in their homes. They are afraid. I get that. If you believe everything you hear coming out of the news and social media, then there is good reason to be terrified. The sad part that some of these same people profess to be Christians. Their ears however have been blocked, and they can't see what's happening. I do have a few friends who are like that. They think I'm crazy for going outside without a mask, or longing to go to the store without a mask. I don't understand their fear, but am trying my best to respect it.
The problem is that they just don't trust God. God is working in a mighty way here, and will open those churches (those that aren't already open) that follow him and do his will. Those churches that remain closed will be those that God has ordained to close. Some will never open their doors again, because it is God's will. The closing of the churches has had a profound effect on the whole population. It sends a clear signal that these churches follow the government dictates and preach the wrong message to a soul hungry population. For those churches that say "We're open but not for you...We decided to cancel physical services indefinitely." The message is: "You will suffer the consequences of your actions. God will take the "light" out of your church...and you will no longer be considered a refuge from the storm."
I am reminded when I read Ecclesiastes 3:11(KJV) that "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." In other words, God knows the future. He makes beauty out of ashes, and he will make beauty out of the ashes of this current situation.
I leave you with these thoughts for over the weekend. Seek beauty in your surroundings. Go outside. Find a church that is physically open (there are a few) and worship. Thank the Lord that the evil schemes are being exposed for what they are, and pray for strength to face the coming days.
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