TRUSTING GOD

place our hope + trust (2).png

With the recent COVID 19 outbreak, I am finding myself without things that I really enjoy. 

  • Sports - all the sports - basketball, oh especially basketball, golf, my daughter’s middle school tennis team…

  • Experiences - going out to eat with the family, going on vacation, taking a road trip to an amusement park, going shopping, visiting with my extended family…

Looking at these things, I found a similar theme besides the fact they are currently gone. I tend to rely on these more heavily when I am stressed or having a bad day. I turn to them to escape from the reality that I am in.

You may have a similar list and fall into a similar pattern. We all have stress and have bad days.

The things above are important to reducing stress and for entertainment but over the last couple of weeks, I am discovering I have relied on them too much. 

Through this pandemic, I can’t help but think THAT God is opening my eyes and having me think through and reflect on my priorities.

Over the last couple of days, I feel like He has been asking me:

  • Why don’t you turn to Me first?

  • Why am I an afterthought?

  • Why aren’t you casting ALL your fears and anxieties on Me?

I don’t know about you, but it is easy for me to fall into bad habits, especially in a world full of so many fun distractions.  I go through seasons: seasons of good habits where I trust that God is in control and turn to Him regularly and seasons of bad habits, like I have been in recently, where I think I know what is best for me and my situation.

Perhaps, COVID 19 and being sheltered at home has you reflecting and thinking through where you place your trust and hope. 

I don’t have all of the answers to these questions, but discipline is one answer.

I am going to press the reset button. My flesh may fail but I am thankful for a God who forgives me when I stumble. As I was reflecting and writing this today, I was reminded of Psalm 25.

The very first verse says

In you, Lord, my God, I put my trust.

Verse 4 goes on to say:

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Maybe these verses ring true with you today. It is my prayer for myself and for our nation to be reminded to place our hope and trust in God. He is the one constant in our rapidly changing circumstances!

- Jody Lukowiak, Children’s Pastor

Katie Erickson