Having something to look forward to keeps me going. I can run the hamster wheel as good as anyone. But, sooner or later I am going to burnout with no reward. Even Jesus endured, for the JOY that was set before Him. We all need some JOY set before us. With schools shut down, vacations cancelled and social distancing--we need to re-create even if our recreation plans had to be cancelled. I pray as you read this today, you are encouraged to challenge yourself and those you love, to find ways to connect and have fun, to reward yourself for enduring. It will not always be like this. Every generation has had their war to fight. This is ours. It is not an enemy we can see like wars before us, but never-the-less, it is our war. It's stealing, killing and destroying all we love, enjoy, and even need. Don't let it steal your JOY too.
What are you hoping for? When you know the Lord you can hope for anything, because you know that God is capable of doing anything. Split the Red Sea, Rain Manna from Heaven, walk on water, raise the dead, all possible because of God. Now, is the worst time to be an unbeliever, because without hope we become weak and weary. Just see the above scripture in Isaiah 40:31 and read it backwards. See? We have to hope in the Lord! When we are up against the Red Sea--God is up to something! If He brings us to it--He will bring us through it!
ACTION STEP: Be creative. Ask yourself, "What can I do? What can we do? Where can we go? What are the options and possibilities?" Don't complain about what you can't do. No one wants to wonder around in the desert for forty years. So, why complain? Go camping. Rent a kayak or a pontoon. Purchase three or four children's inflatable pools, and clean up the house and yard. Then, have each member of the family make their favorite dish and have a picnic outside with just the family--but pretend, you have a yard full of friends, so everyone will be on their best behavior and treat one another as guests. "May I get you a refill?" "So glad you are here." Come on, we are born with an imagination, and this is just one of many of life's challenges. We can all get through this. Make memories.
I am praying for you that you begin to live with the spirit of expectation that something good is going to happen.
Romans 8:28
"God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose."
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