Well this is probably one of the craziest times in the lifetime of this generation. It's a really big event, and the entire globe is being rocked. There has been many losses of life and many people's life plan drastically changed. This set me to thinking about some of the plans I was counting on and what certainty was? I am a senior at The University of Texas at Austin so there were many plans I was counting on. I was expecting to be able to spend my last weeks in college saying good-bye to the campus and my friends. In my on campus organization finishing traditions from the other three years like small group leader initiation, end of the year party, the senior goodbye. The last and biggest milestones I am missing are taking graduation pictures on campus, an in-person commencement, and walking the stage.
The first couple weeks in quarantine this was all really hard. I was mad at God because I felt like I just lost this chunk that is a "right of passage". How could He not care? As I was praying and letting my grievances be known to God, He was really sweet and gave me a time to mourn the plans and moments that were now lost. But after a while He started to challenge me to stop asking why I am not getting that time and ask what He wanted for me instead. The Lord is not surprised by all the corona-virus craziness. I am not saying that God sent it, but He knew it was coming and makes all things for our good. I also started to realize any certainty that I thought I had was artificial. Everything is out of my control. "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
All these plans that I had counted as mine and that I thought I deserved like walking at graduation are not really mine in the grand scheme of life. I believe that people should be celebrated for awesome accomplishments like graduating. But my point is that overall, God's already given us more than we deserve by dying on the cross to cover all sin. Now God is a really good Father who gives us and does abundantly more than we could think. [Ephesians 3:20] When what I desire doesn't come to fruition instead of being angry with God for the loss, I should be grateful for the experience and process of getting to that point and ask, "Okay Jesus what now?", "What are you teaching me?", and "Where are you leading?".
Again do not misread this and think we are lowly beggars that should be afraid of God and silently walk through whatever it is because we probably deserve it. No, we are children of God! That means He loves us with a perfect love, like a Father in perfect form loving His son/daughter. He wants us to talk with him, ask questions, and really seek out what He is doing and who He is.
" Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
So my friends how do you have peace in a time of uncertainty? Well one is realizing that we never really live in any certainty accept for who Jesus is and our relationship with Him. Then look to Philippians 4:6-7 and follow that model in all situations. It says to not be anxious, instead be in determined and constant prayer talking with God. It follows, "with thanksgiving" that means when you are talking with God about the situation, don't just say HELP HELP HELP. Instead tell Him about what your thoughts are and the details of the situation, then thank him for who He is in the situation and what He is gonna do. Pray with the knowledge that God is gonna respond. It may not be with the answer you desire, but it will be the answer that is in the will of God. In the next verse it promises that when we do this we experience peace that goes beyond our understanding. That our hearts and mind are guarded in Christ Jesus. The Savior of the Universe want you to enter into peace and guard your heart and mind. The only thing we have to do is trust that He will do it. He has given us His promise over and over in the bible. Now is the time to learn more about what He promises in the bible and begin to to trust Him, that He keeps His word.
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