Its been 2 weeks of physical distancing. 2 weeks of avoiding close contact with friends, family and loved ones not living in our home. 2 weeks of virtual visits. 2 weeks of awkward grocery store shopping. 2 weeks of neighbourhood walks and going for drives. 2 weeks of projects around the house – my kitchen has never been cleaner! 2 weeks of wondering what work might look like after Spring Break – school buildings are closed but ‘classes’ will continue!
2 weeks… and its likely to continue for quite some time. Physical distancing and ‘stay at home’ orders have changed the way we live and interact. And for me, this global pandemic has brought to light how I live and interact with God. Not surprisingly, I have been woefully inattentive to my dear Saviour. ‘Life’ always seems so busy! But these 2 weeks have shaken and rearranged the items on my priority list.
This unexpected shift in my day to day is a welcome change. But change is hard at the best of times. It is easy to get caught up in the news and drama of life in a COVID-19 reality. Worry and fear nip at our heals. We all handle these feelings in different ways. Me? I am finding comfort and assurance in Jesus and the eternal hope I have in His punishment and death on the cross for my sin and His subsequent resurrection in which I was also raised again in new life.
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
God did not promise an easy life. He did not promise there would not be trials or pain. He did not promise that no bad things would happen. In fact, he tells us that they will – and they would be used to grow us in faith and sanctify us to be more like Christ.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4
This new reality has driven me to prayer, to seek His word and know Him better, and find peace, joy and hope in my standing as a child of God.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
John 1:12
God has used this strange time, to draw me closer to Him and trust Him more. I hope he does the same for all of you.
Seminary Update
Fishing is an excellent physical distancing activity…no one else was on the lake.
We have had several people ask us what COVOD-19 means for our plans to move to California so Nathan can attend The Master’s Seminary. At the moment, our plans are unchanged. We don’t know how things will unfold over the next weeks and months, and until there is a concrete reason to change those plans, we are continuing to prepare to move this summer. Nathan registers for his fall on campus courses next week and we continue to fundraise. As previously mentioned, we have flexibility in our timelines, so we are waiting to apply for our visa’s and our garage sale has been postponed until later this spring when physical distancing measures are over. Nathan is diligently studying and enjoying his Greek course and he has been grateful for opportunities to preach at our church. We are thankful for your encouragement and support, and for God’s grace to give us this opportunity. Please continue to pray for us as we entrust ourselves to the Lord’s plan for us.
Faithful 