A few months ago Kathryn asked me to write something for our blog. These are just some thoughts I’ve been wrestling with in my mind. (That’s a scary thought!) What is the Lord telling us during these times? All of us will have different things: How have I responded to this pandemic? Richard reminded us Sunday about the New Testament church’s response regarding the plagues that swept through..... and how Christians stayed and nursed people during those difficult times. It shows us a vivid picture of them marching into darkness to share the light. They faced death to save their people. I’m asking the question, “ How have WE responded in this pandemic?” That’s a hard question and Im sure everyone will have a different response. Through these last few weeks, I’ve committed my mind that I will focus more on Jesus and less on Covid-19. I’m focusing more on His word and less on what T.V. says on coronavirus. As David tells us in ISamuel 17:47: “The battle is in the Lord’s hands and He will deliver. Oh how hard it is to trust this!!

Another thought I’ve had is this: whether we are 8 or 80.....it is not how we start.....but it is more important how we finish the battle. How should we finish? It will be different for all of us. What does that look like for ME? Do I entertain myself or do I help others? How do I balance that? That brings to mind one of my heroes in the Bible, Caleb. He was forty years old when he went with eleven others to spy on the promise land. Ten said no because the giants were too big. Joshua and Caleb said, “let’s go. “ You all know the story. They wandered for forty years. This next is the part I love. Forty five years later, God asked Caleb what he wanted. He said he wanted to go whip the giants like he did forty five years before. He was now eighty five years old!
Several thoughts come to mind:

1. Caleb said he followed the Lord fully.

2. At 85, he was as strong as he was at 40.

3. Our health is such a blessing from God.

I pray I never take it for granted. How did Caleb finish? He finished strong. He loved and obeyed the Lord. Did he sit and complain and think up ways to entertain himself? He went and whipped the giants! He asked for the blessing and God delivered. It is my prayer that God gives me strength and health to do just like Caleb. None of us have that guarantee. Like Caleb, I hope my response will be to follow the Lord fully. All of us will respond differently. Where is my focus when I’m fearful, and I don’t know the answers? I’m committed, with God’s grace, to finish strong like Caleb. I’m committed to read the Word and talk to the One that does know the answers. Will my focus be on coronavirus or Jesus? It sounds pretty easy, but it’s not. I’m so thankful for the risen Christ. I hope he allows me to finish strong for Him.

As with teaching or writing, the one that prepares can reflect and gain from it more than anyone. Thanks, Kathryn, for asking me.