Blooming in the Stillness
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
What a strange time we find ourselves living in. Who would have thought we’d be living through a global pandemic? Though things seem uncertain, I’ve been choosing to focus on the only thing that is certain in this life, and that is God. Yes, you’re stuck at home, but what if this is an opportunity to open up your bible, and draw near to God? The best way to get to know Him is to read His word. It’s almost as if all our distractions were moved out of the way to create an opportunity for trust.
With these stay-at-home orders, the world seems to be on pause. I dare ask, what if there is a purpose to all this? What if God wants your attention, what if he wants the world’s? Two Sundays ago, on Elevation Church’s online sermon (When God Says Stop), Pastor Steven Furtick said something that stuck with me. He said that weights are to our muscles what fear is to our faith. I loved that analogy. Then he said that fear was an opportunity to exercise faith. Wow, how absolutely true. Scary situations are often opportunities disguised as obstacles. Opportunities to learn, to stretch, to walk deeper into those unknown waters, to reach out towards our Maker. There’s something special about seeking God when you’re desperate. It’s a different kind of hope, it’s a different kind of faith when you’re desperate. There’s an urgency to it. There’s resurrection in it. You, a closed bud sleepwalking through life, awakening like a blooming flower in the spring. There’s nothing that will refresh your soul the way the Lord can. There’s nothing that will lift your spirit like knowing God was always with you; you were just too distracted to give Him praise.
It’s the uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and messy places where God finds us and strengthens us, if we choose to walk through it with Him. God is respectful. He will stand at the door and knock, but you’ve got to be the one to open it and let Him in (Revelations 3:20). There is beauty in the waiting, in the metamorphosis that occurs in your season of rest. Remember, this too shall pass, but until it does, maybe there is something to be gained in the process. In these unfamiliar times, ask yourself, what can I take from this time of reflection when I am forced to face myself?
Think about it, how do seedlings transform into plants? The seed takes root in the soil and must break down, must open up entirely to expose all its vulnerable and inner parts. Then, the roots anchor deep down into the ground, holding the seedling steady. What’s holding you steady? What are you letting your roots settle deep into? It’s interesting that in order to bloom, the seedling must first break completely. Complete surrender. When surrender is the position of your heart to God daily, you make room for God to gift you with revelation and elevation. It’s what Jesus means in Matthew when He says that whoever follows Him must deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). You have to die daily to yourself; you have to choose God every single day over your own personal desires and agendas. You must choose to trust Him when you’re afraid and choose to lay your anxious worries at His feet. God didn’t say we would never have trouble, but He did promise He would always be with us. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” Despite and regardless of my circumstance, God is right here in the midst of it, holding my hand, guiding me through it.
Dwell in the presence of God and your focus will change. When God leads us, we begin to grow in other areas, and ease outside of the self-absorbed comfort of our own minds. We begin to see others. He gifts us with the beauty of empathy. God commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). You can’t really love others if you don’t love yourself and you can’t really love yourself when you don’t understand the concept of how God loves you. I don’t mean in an earthly “treat yourself” way, but in a “I know He made me with a purpose so there is worth in my bones because He called me His” way. The validation doesn’t come from physical attributes, but from spiritual ones. The worth doesn’t come from the world’s opinion, but by the Maker who created you with a purpose and for a purpose. When you truly give God your heart and love Him, you begin to love everything else that more deeply. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” A lot of people are scared right now. Be kind, lend a hand, see how you can help. Wash your hands. Respect the rules of this new season, for there is a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is a time for everything and a season for everything and though it’s normal to cling to old ways when you’re facing something new, walk into this uncertain season with a willing heart. Willing to think about others, to stay at home, and stop this spread. Every day you’re alive is a blessing and a reason to thank God. Praise Him despite your circumstance and love His other children by helping them. Be the reason someone sees the goodness of God.
On that note, I am so proud of how the church has come together to meet the needs of its community. Though many of us are unable to meet in person because of this covid-19 virus, church has come to us through online streaming, social media watch parties, and video platforms viewed right in our homes. It’s wonderful how quickly the church has adapted and moved into a new stage of sharing the gospel. It shows us that church was never about a physical location, but a spiritual movement. Matthew 18:20 says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” It’s not about the place, it’s about the willingness of your heart to receive the Word and welcome God in, wherever you are physically. It’s not just a Sunday experience, but an every day walk with Him because God dwells within you.
Among many other signs of the times, Scripture speaks on the gospel being spread throughout the world. Before the end arrives, the entire world will know who Jesus is so that no one can be blameless and say, “I’ve never heard of him.” Everyone will be given the opportunity to receive or refuse Him. Matthew 24:14 says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (If you want to know more on that, I encourage you to read Matthew 24 and the entire book of Revelations). Every time you text someone about a sermon, watch it, share it; you are literally doing the Lord’s work. By having a willing heart to share the gospel and letting the Lord use you, you are planting seeds in so many human hearts. So continue to share, to love others, to trust God, and to seek His presence in the stillness.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.
