Hey, friend, how are you holding up? I’m guessing you are at home—feeling a little wonky and needing a little encouragement. In this week of crazy pandemic-panic, I want to offer you a virtual hug and whisper words of peace. I also want to share what God has set on my heart about this being our “mountain time” right now. Curious? Allow me to explain…
This week, my She Reads Truth Bible reading found me in the random book of Haggai. I’ll be honest, I was hoping for more peace-like verses with lots of “don’t worry about Coronavirus” kind of encouragement. And here I’m reading about a negligent people who cared more about making their own houses fancy than focusing their effort on rebuilding the temple of God.
That was the command to the people from the Lord, via Haggai the prophet. The Message translation puts it like this: “Take a good, hard look at your life. Think it over.” And then… God sent the people up into the mountains to collect wood to start the building process of His temple.
I wonder how long it took them. How much time they had to “consider their ways” as they climbed their mountain. They had plenty of thinking time during that hike, and then while they chopped and hauled and dried the wood. It was not a fast process. Their focus was suddenly shifted and they had a little breathing room to reflect upon what was truly important. How their gaze had wandered from the beauty of the Lord to the many distractions and shiny things that made them simply feel good.
It seems we all have our own personal mountain to climb right now, doesn’t it? Our own time at home, weirdly isolated away from our usual distractions and shiny things—we have the opportunity to take a good, hard look at our lives. Have I been so preoccupied with my own “house” that I’ve neglected God? I fear this is the case for me…
What if we use this “mountain time” to ponder, pivot, and press into Jesus?
Ask how we can best be used by Him. Our words, our encouragement, our grocery shopping, our phone calls, our kindness—how can we be channels of His peace amidst panic right now?
May our hearts echo the Prayer of Saint Francis:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.”
Friends, life is looking a little lopsided and out of whack for every single one of us. You may have a houseful of antsy children or you may be fretting because your kids are all far away (hello.) Perhaps you are worried about elderly parents or grandparents or family abroad, or you don’t know what’s going to happen with your job or your finances. I get it. We all get it. One thing is for sure: we crave peace over panic.
And because God knows we need to hear His promise of peace as we climb this mountain, at the end of the chapter in Haggai, His greatest comfort stands firm in our chaos:
It was true for the people who were figuring out how to do life as they climbed the mountain back in the day, and it’s true for us as we figure out how to do life in the midst of change right now.
We are in this together. And best of all, we are in this with God.
Consider your ways as you climb the mountain, dear friend. And know His perfect peace—
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Linking up with some fabulous encouragers. Check them out:
Great encouragement to press into Jesus at this time of uncertainty. God bless!
Thank you so much, Cathy. He is always there for us— what a gift that is! Blessings to you.
So true and such a weird time. My first time back to the computer (forcing myself with Pandora and William Ackerman in my airpods and hot tea) – I thought this might refer to Brooks’ great book: The Second Mountain – highly recommend and oh, so true. love to you and your family. s.
A weird time indeed, Sue! I’ll check out that book… thank you. Stay healthy and happy, friend! Blessings to you and yours. 🤗
A very odd time for us right now – but I’ve climbed a few mountains before and am trudging oh so carefully up this one!
Hi Susan— it really is odd! Everything feels off-kilter, doesn’t it? I’m grateful God is our solid Rock. 🤗 Blessings to you as you trudge in His strength!
Amen! What an encouraging word! Love this!
Thank you so much, Melanie! 🤗 I’m glad it encouraged your heart. Blessings to you, friend!
This is so beautiful and encouraging. I literally felt my whole body exhale as I read ” we’re in this together, but the best part is we’re in this with God” Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for linking up with Grace and Truth this week!
Oh, thank you so much, Valerie! I’m glad it encouraged you this week… we certainly all need a little virtual hug right now. 🤗 Blessings to you!
Laura,
I loved your post. Unlike many my life hasn’t slowed down too much from this virus. A lot of the work I do is at home. Due to this I haven’t had oodles of time trying to figure out what to do with my time. Of course, I miss a ton of freedoms: family who isn’t with me, skiing, friends, small group, and even the food I like to eat as the grocery story has empty aisles.
Your post got me to stop in my tracks and have the desire to ponder a bit. I do need to consider my ways. Thank you.
I have chosen your post to feature tomorrow on Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Maree
Hi Maree—and thank you so much for featuring my post! 🤗 I’m so glad it resonated with you— and pray it will be an encouragement to your readers, too. Take care, friend. Blessings to you!
I’m visiting from Maree’s. Our church has just finished reading through Ezekiel, where God allowed hard things like the Babylonian takeover to turn His people’s hearts away from false things back to Himself. I’m praying He will do the same through this virus and its effects–and praying also that the virus will be defeated as soon as possible.
Hi Barbara— thanks so much for stopping by. I love how God draws us to His truth at just the right time… and I echo your prayers. 🤗 Blessings to you— and take care!