The Narrow Way

My chest got tight, a familiar pain, stupid anxiety was rearing it’s head. 🙄 Usually it hits me out of the blue, for unknown reasons. But this time, I knew why. 😕😒

It was Afghanistan. It was thinking about losing a job I love or being forced to take a vaccine I have strong concerns about. It was while I was rehearsing previous conversation from a recent wedding. I had been praying for some friends with Covid and somewhere in there I heard about Haiti’s earthquake. All the while I was trying to satisfy the 3-year olds questions, which are nonstop…😬🤪

As I felt the pain, I briefly turned inward, to seek God. For a moment, I wondered “Jesus, where are you?,” but at the same time, my spirit whispered back to my heart “maranatha!”

With one word, relief began to come.

Maranatha, yes! If you’re unfamiliar with the word, it was common among the early church, it means “come Lord Jesus, come,” or “return.” Maranatha, the answer to the ugly in the world—the return of King Jesus. 👑

But until then, Jesus, where are you? 🤷‍♀️

The very title of this blog kept me up late, as the answer unraveled and my mind was flooded with hope and excitement.

In Afghanistan, He is there. He is with His church, emboldening them as the first dozen or so have been martyred. 🥺 He is giving peace that surpasses understanding to the ones who seek Him (Phil 4:7). He is beckoning the Taliban to turn from their wicked ways and show mercy, desiring that none, not even one of them—should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He is bringing comfort to the families of soldiers who gave their life for what seems to be another Vietnam. He is seeking to bring hope to the veterans who are being attacked mentally. Meanwhile His Spirit is hovering over the globe, awakening His earthly body to rise up and take action. He’s urging the saints to pray, to see the broken and lost and do something—anything . He’s stirring hearts to send money, open their homes, and take risk and responsibility. While it may seem like He’s absent, He’s actually working overtime to awaken the Church.

Without getting divisive, I want to say a few thoughts on the vaccine debacle. Simply put, I have strong concerns with it and am not interested in accepting it at this time, possibly ever. Yet, for those who want it, or believe it is helping or will help, I support you. Do what you have peace with. 🙂 I don’t see you as less than, and I’d hope you wouldn’t be like one of the two quoted at the wedding I attended. “they should line up all of those unvaccinated people and…” one said “jab them,” while the other said “shoot them.” 😓 Do you see what this is doing to us?

I read Animal Farm on the drive home from this wedding. It was a miss-print sent to me twice from Amazon. I was supposed to receive “An Interview with George Mueller…” but 2x Amazon sent me a book with George Mueller’s cover, and inside, was a full copy of Animal Farm. 🤦‍♀️Eventually I took it as a hint and decided to read it, only I hadn’t had that time for months, until now. Wow, how timely it was! Reading of the division, the manipulation, lies, paranoia, propaganda and control. 😰 I could relate in too many ways, especially the feeling of being silenced. But I also started to relate to many of the animals by the end, when the pigs became “more equal than others” and exerted their superiority over the “lesser” animals. Being un-vaccinated, you hear it all, and now I’ll likely lose a job I love, because despite the vaccine not being nearly as effective as hoped for, I’m still expected—borderline being forced—to take it. This is just one of many reasons I say, “no thanks.” 😌

So Jesus, where are you?

He’s here. As I turn from the harsh judging voices, He comforts me. When I’m tempted to (or honestly have at times) criticize or judge people for their decisions, He reminds me “do unto others…” If my mind starts to wander to a situation of force, and what that could mean for future, He brings peace, reminding me that “they shall drink deadly poison and it will not harm them” (Mark 16:18). More than anything, He’s prompting me to do two things: abstain from creating more division (especially publicly like on FB) and keep unity in the forefront of my mind. I refuse to dehumanize ANY group of people. And by the way, when I say “unity” I’m not meaning we have to agree—but I believe we can be unified in disagreement through respect and honor. We can choose to value the other person even if we don’t see eye to eye and thereby not be part of a rapidly polarizing climate.

This vaccine stuff is not to ignore that people have and are still suffering from this virus. Unfortunately, with or without vaccination, we will continue to suffer to some extent, and some of this is because of misplaced trust. Many put their hope in what man could do—how he could save himself—and sadly, it’s not so simple. It’s not panning out. But Jesus is still here. He is waiting for mankind to turn to Him and call upon His Name. He’s bringing healing and restoration where He is permitted. He is reminding us to care for one another, regardless of vaccination status. He’s waiting for us to follow our convictions without expecting everyone else to see things the same. He’s leading and guiding each one of us AWAY from dehumanizing, division, manipulation, and hate. He’s reminding us that we are all created equally and in His image, yet, we are incredibly diverse and have different perspectives—and He’s made room for that. He’s reassuring us to have courage and trust Him—whether it’s with the possibility of vaccine side effects or Covid itself. He’s encouraging us to do whatever we do by faith, for “whatever is not done in faith is sin,” be it faith to take a vaccine or faith to take on a virus (Rom 14:23). He leaves it up to us. But He’s here—He is speaking and reminding us—He died for us ALL. He has grace for us ALL. Even the “Napoleons,” out there (Animal Farm reference).

Without me breaking down Haiti, can you see Him? He is there. Jesus is our “ever present help in times of trouble.” He is “near to the broken hearted,” and beckoning us to “cast all of our cares on Him,” so we can focus on what’s most important in all of these situations—love. Because He IS love, and love covers over a multitude of sin (1 John 4:8). Love doesn’t keep record of each wrong, thereby empowering bitterness and hatred. Love chooses to turn the other cheek, again and again, it chooses to love the lost, broken, and blind. It chooses to “forgive them father for they know not what they do…”

If Jesus could love and forgive from the cross, surely He can help us do the same.

Jesus is near, but only when we turn to Him. We must choose to block out the attacking voices, fears, and doubts and instead embrace His heart full of mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness. Wherever a human is hurting, He desires to go. He wants His physical body—the church—to be more than just a bunch of comforted mystics—He wants to compel us to love, no matter our differences. He wants to use His body to bring tangible relief to the broken, whatever their state of brokenness is. It may be giving money for a cause, or it may be supporting someone with different views.

While we seek Jesus in these difficult times, we need to remember—He is there. We need to be willing to fight the hard internal battles, choose His heart in situations, and be willing to give love in its various forms. This is such an easy time to shine and have hope, because we know He is faithful. We know He is Emmanuel—God with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. And He’s bigger than us and our problems. 🙌

So my friends, if you’re tempted to engage in our current climate, pause. Don’t get entangled in sin. Find Jesus before you move forward, lest you be part of the growing problems instead of the solution. There is no shortage of need to practice love. And if you’re looking for Hope in these uncertain times, remember: maranatha. Come Lord Jesus, Come. He will return and make all things right…Someday…

Until then, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. May God bless you, lead you, and guide you in all Truth. May He give you His response in all your trials.

As always, thanks for stopping by.