Most of us had high hopes when this year started out, but our world changed radically in mid-March when our world was described as being in a Pandemic. Many of us have been upended in our work environment, which has always been face-to-face, to zoom meetings with our work computer set up in our homes, or even settling for telephone conversations. Even doctor’s appointments have been relegated to meetings in our living room via computer chats. Education had taken a hard right as classes came to a screeching halt, until computers could again become the medium for which teaching could be accomplished.
The dynamics of visiting with family and friends has also been changed. We have been encouraged to not come together in each other’s homes at all or at best, limit the meetings and if it was necessary to come in one place together, to keep a six foot distance and by all means absolutely no touching! Even Thanksgiving is being threatened as a ‘non-connected’ event, while traveling has been discouraged and even many airlines have shut down.
Marriages—even apparently strong ones--- have been strained as couples who both work outside the home, have allowed the pandemic to pry them apart, to the extent of sleeping in different bedrooms to eliminate the need to touch each other. Some will tell you the effort of staying ‘strong’ has instead left them emotionally drained and mentally exhausted.
When we are brave enough to venture into the outdoors to do some necessary shopping, we are forced to place a mask across our face, smothering air intake, weighing heavier and heavier with each breath we take. Churches are faced with social-distancing; and worship through song, in some congregations is denied; and instead of sitting near a favorite friend, we have to have a pew in between us.
Lay-offs have happened and people are on the verge of losing everything they own and fear creeps in, as the threat of job loss loom. Between health care problems, as well as shopping changes, and life style changes in general, each of us at different levels have felt those fears niggle at the back of our neck. There is so much uncertainty. How are we to move on, to even move forward in small increments? It seems an impossibility given the current political arena. There is corruption, deceit, and manipulation it seems, in all sectors.
The passions of many regarding the election, have caused friends, family and colleagues, to be torn apart. The racist card has multiplied the emotion and storm that swirls around us, no matter where we are physically. Many of us grit our teeth, even when we hear something with which we entirely disagree; yet we are intimidated by the evil force that seems to be sweeping our nation and squelch the urge to voice our opinion.
David, as the Psalmist, knew fear, anguish, abandonment, exhaustion and vulnerability. Yet he knew he could call on the Lord, and he did, repeatedly, to give him the peace and understanding he desperately needed. He expected the Lord to deliver him and God did. Shouldn’t we be driven, like David, to call upon the Lord when life closes in and suffocates us with rules and regulations we don’t understand, changes in our lifestyle, the brokenness of relationships that leave our hearts split in two?
Sadly, the roughest days are still ahead of us. It’s going to be a long journey. As Believers, we need to unite in prayer that God’s will is done throughout the land, even if we don’t understand or agree, and pray for his imminent return. It will be at that time, we will be able to say, “I ran the race and fought the good fight. I’m going home!”
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