The YouVersion app sent out an email this past week (& you can also find this on their app). It says, in part:
"Something historic is happening...we're experiencing a season of great spiritual awakening. All over the world, people are searching for answers and hope." They continued to write that they have seen "the largest engagement increase ever."
Just like after the tornados hit our area, I've witnessed an incredible support system form. During this pandemic, people are donating their stimulus checks to others who need it more. Neighbors are reaching out to neighbors who they didn't really know before. Companies are stepping forward to meet the immediate needs of our healthcare system even re-tooling their existing setup and stopping production of whatever they made before the virus. I've heard of an out-of-state hospital that has prayer time over the PA system, and nurses are being asked about what they know about God. Just one incredible story after another.
After five (?) weeks of a new normal, we've come to grips with the changes and adapted. In two weeks when things start to reopen, we'll adapt again, and again, and again.
Yes, this virus is a horrible enemy and it's taken so many innocent lives, and so many people have sacrificed so much already, but it has produced some good, as well. I wrote in my journal that Tyler Perry said, "Times like these either bring out the best in people or the very, very worst." (I can't verify it, though, and I didn't write down where I heard it). I try to focus on the best, even if I have to look deeply to find it. My faith is in our Heavenly Father, and it has been so inspiring to read all of the encouragement people have posted from His word during this time. The fact that He uses all situations for His good should help us through even the darkest of times. People don't usually look for help when everything is going well. It's only during the valleys that people raise their eyes and search for someone greater than themselves. That Someone will lift us up and carry us through.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
