By Maureen Wildt

Do Not Get Bogged Down

     During this time of staying home, I notice that I have had more time to reflect on scriptures and how they relate to our current situation.

     Since I do not get out often, I find myself often looking out my window to enjoy nature; especially since the beauty of Spring arrived.  I have come to the realization that all this beauty is actually God’s presence, not only with me, but all around me. 

     Flowers bloomed, trees budded, then leafed out, young red squirrels were born and are now scurrying around our garden in a game of tag, birds were building nests, and raising their chicks.  Fawns are beginning to appear, and the list could go on and on.

     In all these things, I see God’s hand every day, and I think back to Genesis 1:31 which says: “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold it was very good” (KJV).  The virus hasn’t stopped God’s creation, which He set into motion, and is still actively involved in.  Creation was good and is still good.

      Another thing that I have noticed is that I used to give little thought to when or how I would go somewhere.  Now I give it quite a lot of thought.  I thought that going somewhere was up to me!   However, the virus situation has impressed upon me the scripture found in James 4:15 which says you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (NIV) Furthermore, we are told by Jesus in John 15:5b “without me ye can do nothing.” (KJV)

      The virus situation need not bog us down.  We need to remember Romans 8:39 which says that “neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)

       In scripture it says, “God is love;” and “he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16c (KJV).   Having Christ indwell us, I think, is God’s presence in us and it is this indwelling of Christ which gives us joy, and in John 16:33b, Jesus tells us:  “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (KJV)

        This is great news because it is telling us that although we have the tribulation of the Corona virus, we can be of good cheer because Jesus has already overcome it!

         We can live confidently because Jesus says: “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22a (KJV)