Sept 24th, 2020: Standing Up for What is True by Being on Our Knees
As the rate of infection increases across Canada, some people begin to think that the "second wave" of the pandemic has started. With the overflowing of "information" in various forms of social media, we have also encountered different responses to this pandemic. I was on the phone with someone who is adamant that the whole thing is a hoax and insisting on sending his daughter to school without a mask. He is not alone. It didn't help when CDC decided to remove its guidance airborne coronavirus transmission.
I told my friend that when it comes to COVID 19, there is nothing academic about it. In my immediate and extended families, we have at least 3 cases. I am thankful that no one dies. I know people who have family members died and became part of the statistic. There is nothing hoax about the reality of death. However, the confusion remains. What are we missing? Maybe we are overloaded with information and very light on wisdom.
Here is one of my favorite quotes about confusion:
"Storms can bring fear, cloud judgment, and create confusion. Yet God promises that as you seek Him through prayer, He will give you the wisdom to know how to proceed. The only way you will survive the storm will be on your knees." ~ Paul Chappell
All of us want answers, and maybe we have been looking at the wrong place. The lack of wisdom is the outcome of our pathetic and ineffective prayer life. How should we proceed? We need to pray for the following:
A) Pray for political leaders and health officials that they have wisdom and discernment to act with clarity, compassion, and commitment to the good of all people.
B) Pray for those who are affected and their family that they may experience God's presence and healing.
C) Pray that those who require medical care will get the help they need. Pray that no one will be left alone while being sick.
D) Pray for front line healthcare and other essential services workers that God will protect them and keep their families safe. Pray for courage and discernment as they provide care and services to others.
E) Pray for those who are researching to find the vaccine, to come up with treatments, and to design ways to stop the spread for this virus that God will grant insight and understanding in their work.
So let us be people of prayers. Let our prayers be our ongoing gossips instead of our fears of being manipulated by others. When the love of God for the world controls our hearts, we don't need to worry about worldly manipulation.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
