Week Ten - What in the World Can We Do?

My grandparents were of that greatest generation who experienced two World Wars, the Great Depression, civil rights, the Vietnam war, and went from riding in horse-drawn buggies to driving a computerized Lincoln Continental. I learned so much from them and loved hearing their stories. One thing that always came through was their faith in God, who took them through every experience. 

We face a time in history none of us would have ever imagined, even five years ago. It is all entirely out of our control. This pandemic showed us how vulnerable we are to small invisible things, and this impending conflict shows us how vulnerable we are to huge visible things. So what in the world can we do?

Well, as I thought back to the advice of my grandparents, I could hear their voices saying, "Gail, just do the next right thing. Trust the Lord. Be wise with your decisions and leave the rest to Him."

In her book, Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George gives a way to look at what we are now experiencing. In my journal, I recorded her statement, "Nothing has just randomly happened to put you where you are." God is more detailed and involved in our well-being than that!

It all seems so random, doesn't it? Like there is no purpose, rhyme, or reason for the pandemic and this conflict, but God says there is purpose. He has rhyme and reason even when we can't figure out the tune. We are to acknowledge His hand in all things no matter what circumstance we face because it has been filtered through God's hands. It isn't happenstance; it is providence. And how does that help us? 

We can better endure difficult times when we acknowledge God is in complete control. Elizabeth George says, "Thinking the truth about God and our circumstances can help eliminate insecurity, bewilderment, blaming, and bitterness. We can then enjoy greater peace...in our trying situations." You see, it is a matter of perspective. We are to be looking to Him at all times. 

And what can we do in the meantime? We can pray, and we should. We can give, and let's hope we do.
But most of all, let's keep on keeping on. This is no time to throw up our hands and quit. Keep loving the Lord. Continue serving where you can. Elizabeth Elliot said, "Quietly do the next thing." Do what you should do where you are. You certainly can't do anything where you are not. Concentrate and keep your life together by focusing on what God would have you do. "Roll up your sleeves and serve God and others in the present, even in your hard times." (Elizabeth George)

Then, concentrate on the promises of God. There are many in God's word, too many to list, but even if you only know a few, let them be the meditation of your mind and heart. "They assure you over and over again of the nature and reality of God and His character. Through them you will never lose sight of the bright hope of your future. You can have glorious hope even when life looks hopeless."

And that was the key my grandparents emulated. They had hope, even when life looked hopeless. Their hope was not in the government or themselves but in the God of heaven. The same God we have today. He carried them through when they wondered what in the world they could do. And He will carry us through as well.

So, roll up your sleeves and prepare your heart! There might be a rocky road ahead!