Can We Please Leave Home Now?

July is here.   That means that over half of the year 2020 is over.   It also means that most of us have been dealing with the effects of this pandemic for over 3 ½ months in some way, shape, or form.    This pandemic has effected the entire fabric of our lives.   Jobs have been lost or furloughed… churches have been closed and are in some cases still closed… people have been sick… nursing home residents have been urged if not ordered  to stay in their rooms.  I have known people that were not able to attend the funerals of loved ones due to the pandemic… and others who have lost wages or income.  So many of us have said or want to say:   Can We PLEASE leave home now?   I am reminded of the words of Psalm 6:3 where we read:     My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?

In I Corinthians 13, we read:  “Love is patient.”     This pandemic has tested the patience of many of us.   I admit that my nature is not to be very patient.   I confess that I get irritated when the line is long when checking out at the grocery store or when there is a long line of slow moving traffic.    Yet, throughout the Bible I see time after time of how important it is for the people of God to be patient:

40 years in the wilderness for the Israelites till they get to enter the promised land

Hundreds of years of waiting till the Messiah comes in the form of the Christ child

Abraham and Sarah waiting for the promised heir to be born, Issac

Over 60 years ago, a young woman was told that the life of her unborn child was in danger.   The doctor said that if the child was to have any chance of being healthy and normal that she needed to have complete bed rest for the last SEVEN MONTHS of her pregnancy.  That young woman was my Mom.   She listened carefully and patiently heeded her doctor’s advice that I might be born.  

Can we please leave home now?   I know not whether this is the time to do that and go back to work, restaurants, movie theatres, and the like.   What I do know is that I need more patience and God brings good things when His people wait.   Have a joy-filled week!-  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER :     How long, Lord!  How long?   Lord, give us patience in these challenging times.   Remind us regularly that good things come to those that wait;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.