Such a Time as This...

I think we've all been doing a lot of thinking lately. Strong words have been used to describe our anxiety over the Coronavirus. Medically speaking, I have heard more than once that we must act as if we are living in wartime. I turned on the TV, & it was as if the reporter stole a thought right from my head. She said, "It's as if we've all been hit by a tornado at the same time." I've been a part of more than one conversation in which the "end times" has been the question of the hour. Truth is, it's only going to get worse. That's the current speculation. So... how do we stay centered? How do we not become unnerved, allowing waves of anxiety to eat us up?

If I may share a few thoughts in love...

Dear Beloved Human Being,
I know that some of you struggle with faith, & some of you choose to turn away from faith. Some of you pick & choose bits & pieces from the Bible. Our world is at the very least confusing & troublesome. Hardships are a given for everyone, especially in such a time as this. Most (if not all)  human beings are scared, stressed, & experiencing anxiety at a new level. Most of us have begun to experience loss already, whether it's the loss of a job, our sanity, fast food, our former life, or sadly a loved one. "Trusting in God is an act of deliberate humility" (as my oldest daughter posted this quote this morning). "Fear & mistrust often come from thinking we are all-knowing. Only God is" (author unknown).

My heart grieves for those whom I love who have rejected faith in God. It breaks for any soul who doesn't know Christ. What kind of human being would I be if I didn't take the time to share the anchor of my life? Penn, an atheist from the duo, Penn & Teller (2 American magicians & comedians), once asked in all seriousness, "How much do you have to hate Somebody to Not Proselytize?" So... if I love my fellow human beings, especially my loved ones, then how can I not urge you, beg you to consider Christ, especially at such a time as this?

I don't believe in shoving Christ down someone's throat. Sometimes, sharing Christ is a delicate subject because people get offended. Sometimes we don't share Christ because we fear rejection. Whatever my excuse would be for not telling other human beings about Christ... I am willing to risk the consequences that may fall on me for asking each of you (who happen to read this particular blog) to pause & search your own soul, & ask yourself (if you are a nonbeliever), "What if I am wrong?" Believing in Christ won't bring you happiness by the world's standards. However, there is an inner peace that surpasses all understanding waiting for you.

Christ won't likely miraculously take your earthly troubles away, but He will walk through this storm with you. He will give you the assurance that there is more to this earthly life than meets the eye. What we go through on this earth is temporary. We are a vapor in the wind. Our home (our eternity) is meant to be in Heaven. Jesus Christ himself said, "I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). Faith is belief in the unseen. The unseen is more than a mere human can comprehend with his/her own eyes.

I'd like to share a conversation I had a few months ago with an elderly woman. She was moving to another state, & I realized my time with her had been cut short. She was a self-proclaimed Atheist. She had lived a rough life & survived much turmoil. Like myself, she was a breast cancer survivor, she had lost her beloved husband a few years back, & survived a hurricane in a North Carolina beach house all by herself. I gathered up all the courage I had at that moment, & I knocked on her door. She invited me in & asked me to have a seat. I asked her how she had found the strength to survive her difficult life...

She said she always knew she was a strong person but that she was very tired of being strong. I shared with her that I too had experienced some rough times in my life (not as bad as hers) & that I could not have survived them without my faith in Jesus Christ. She said that she was an Atheist. I asked her why. She shared that she was an Atheist because that is "what" she was born into. I looked her in the eye, & in the kindest way I could, I said, "You know, it's not too late for you to change." She looked at me & said, "What did you say?" I repeated myself, I said, "You know, if you would like to rethink things, you could change. You don't have to stay an Atheist." She looked at me & said, "Well... I suppose you are right." I told her that she didn't have to continue this journey alone. I sensed it was time for me to go. My courage was fading. My adrenaline was waning. We hugged, & she thanked me so much for taking the time to visit her & share my Christ.

She moved the next day. I doubt I will ever see her again on this earth.

As I close, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that some people find it hard to follow Christ because His followers behave badly. As Ghandi said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians."  We are all human. When Christians mistreat others, it seems hypocritical to onlookers (both those who follow Christ & those who don't). The truth is, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus doesn't take away our sin. He suffered so that our sins may be forgiven if we know Him. We must all consider our eternity because we will spend it somewhere. What if you're wrong? What if I am wrong?

Thanks for reading,
Susie

Barbara

I don't know quite why, but lately I have felt exceptionally close to my mom. She passed away in August of 2011, but  I feel as tho' she's sitting nearby, playing the piano, & nodding at me with encouragement & understanding. I must be aging myself. I know I am because I have been drawn to the old hymns as if they are calling my name. I was brought up in First Christian Church in Waukegan, Illinois. To say it had meaning in my life would be an understatement. I asked Christ into my heart at First Christian Church. I won a hula hoop contest at a church picnic when I was a little girl. I was baptized at 12 years old. I had fun with my cousins & friends at church. I received my first Valentine at church. The list of important first continues...

One of my favorite things as a child about First Christian Church was Sunday school worship. My mom played the piano, someone stood at a podium & directed as we sang the songs. It didn't matter that I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, I just loved worship. When we were little, we sang kids songs like "Jesus Loves Me." Once we reached the middle school years (called Junior High back then), we moved to the original church building on the same property & sang hymns. I loved this time of gathering in the old building. It seemed more authentic to me, & I loved singing the hymns.

One of the perks of having my mom play the piano at church was hearing her practice the piano at home. Sometimes when she practiced, I would be in my bed falling asleep. Sometimes I'd be doing homework, playing with my dolls, or just going about my business (whatever it was for the day). On occasion, I would sit & listen & watch her play those hymns. She had a beautiful voice & often sang the hymns as she practiced. I remember as she ended each hymn, the notes would quietly trail off, she would be smiling, & always nod her head, & her pretty blue eyes would sparkle. She'd look at me, & I'd smile back. It was a quiet communication between us that had so much meaning, yet I never realized it at the time. I just loved it.

I'm not sure quite what we were saying to each other as the notes trailed off, but as she reached that last note, she always looked at me with her pretty blue eyes, smiled, & nodded. I always smiled back. This trailing off of notes complete with her smile, head nod, & blue eyes is what I've been feeling over & over since I began listening to hymns on Alexa. "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. And I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives." "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory & grace."

These hymns, the words, they have new meaning. When I sang them as a child, I loved them. As I listen to them as an adult, I cling to these words. They are my courage for tomorrow. They give meaning to my faith. They speak about Eternity & make me long for Heaven. They explain so much about Spiritual things to me. They put my thoughts & feelings into words. I heard them over & over as a child. They are ingrained in my heart. The words play over & over in my head, & each time, my mom nods at me with her pretty blue eyes. As the notes trail off, she turns to me & smiles. They take me back to that sweet moment over & over. Thank you, Mom, for such a beautiful gift.