Growing through the unknown
We are all experiencing unprecedented times. We may be asking ourselves many questions that we can’t fully answer. But one thing we can be certain of is the sovereignty of our God.
Trusting God
King David, the author of many of the Psalms, was called a man after God’s own heart. He had his flaws and sinned like us all, but he was a good king and a man of character and wisdom. Throughout his life, he experienced so much heartache, pain, loss and even depression. When you really examine the psalms, you see how pressed down he felt, how discouraged and overwhelmed he was at times.
Do those feelings sound familiar? We may, at times, feel like wilted flowers buried beneath the snow, before spring comes. But after a few months of rain watering the grass, the earth starts to bloom. We may feel down at times when the rains fall, but nothing grows without some nourishment.
Corrie ten Boom, a speaker, writer and Holocaust survivor said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Are you growing through this ordeal or are you letting fear dictate your actions and rule your mind? Even through the most trying times we can grow and mature in our faith. When we lay our fears and insecurities at the foot of the cross in prayer, we can be like King David who poured out his heart to God in the words he wrote, not holding anything back. King David knew that God would deliver him from his troubles. He had faith that God had a bigger plan, a purpose and a design – one that would help him grow and lean more on God – even if he could not see what God was doing at that moment in time. As he practiced trusting in God, David learned what it meant to truly be a man after God’s own heart!
If we are honest with God and ourselves, surrender is tough for many of us, especially when our circumstances feel hard or unfair. But Romans 5:3-4 teaches us that our sufferings produce endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope! We must stay the course and run the race that’s set before us.
Being still
Another thing we can learn during this time is to reflect on our lives. While everything has slowed down, Jesus is saying, BE STILL and know that I AM GOD. That can be hard to grasp when we live in a world of instant gratification. When our normal life is stripped away and there is silence, we may feel worn down, but Jesus is the lifter of our heads.
Have you ever heard a friend talking without really listening? We find ourselves in this situation when we let our agendas and distractions get in the way of our relationship with God, and we don’t really hear Him calling us to Himself.
If you feel isolated, know that you are not alone. We are all affected in some way by social distancing. But God is there, and His presence can always be felt if we learn to be still and let the Holy Spirit minister to our hearts. So take time to calm your soul and lean in deeper to His embrace. God’s love does not waver, even if we are tossed at times by doubts and fear.
Jesus is still on the throne. All He is asking is for us to be still and trust in His timing. Use this time as stepping stone for a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ! In turn, you will be better for it, as He equips you to be better pastors, better leaders, better parents.
Pray that your Bible reading is not just out of habit, but that the Holy Spirit drenches your soul gives you new eyes to see through so that you can be filled with passion for our Lord and Savior. Let it be our earnest prayer that we strive to be men and woman after God’s own heart!
Natalie McKinnon, a pastor’s wife, serves at Legacy Church in Sutton, MA.