Hope in Trying Times Pt 2

Jesus says ‘There’s only one sign I’m going to give you: the sign of the prophet Jonah’ (Luke 11:29; Matthew 12:39; 16:4). Sooner or later life is going to lead us ...into the belly of the beast, into a situation we can’t fix, can’t control...That’s where transformation most quickly happens. That’s when we’re uniquely in the hands of God. It’s God’s waiting room.” Richard Rohr; Just This.

“I live by the faith of the Son of God.” This faith is not Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith that the Son of God has imparted to him — “the faith of the Son of God.” It is no longer faith in faith, but faith which has overleapt all conscious bounds, the identical faith of the Son of God.” From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

Once again Chambers and Rohr arrive at the same place by different routes. The goal is always “to destabilize the imperial ego” (Rohr); Chambers calls this ‘giving up my right to myself’. The goal is always identification-oneness-with our Lord and Life. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:4-8

 Transformative words of comfort and hope for our trying times. 

Hope in trying times

A couple hours age one of my Facebook friends shared a post that said something like “why isn’t anyone reporting 80,000 people have recovered from Coronavirus. I did a little checking and that number appears to be accurate. I also discovered the worldwide mortality rate is 4%. The nationwide mortality rate is 1.7%. 

Yes I know people die from auto accidents but auto accidents are not contagious. And yes more people die from flu but right here, right now we are not dealing with flu. We are dealing with Coronavirus. And yes I firmly believe God will deliver us from this pandemic the same way He delivered us from polio, measles, swine flu, HIV/AIDS and the rest-by sending us women and men of faith and science who have the ability to discover cures. 

In the meantime, while we wait, we will do well to take all necessary precautions, to be kind to and look out for one another. If this virus teaches us anything it is that we are all connected. Finally, I would remind us that Jesus, when confronted with the temptation to fling Himself off the Temple Mount, replied “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” (Matthew 4:7). Words of wisdom for today from Wisdom Himself.