“The Lord’s message rang out through you – your faith in God has become known everywhere… They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven – Jesus, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 NIV
It’s all smooth sailing in life when things are calmly going along and we’re immersed in our safe little world floating along in the sunshine. But then the winds change, storm clouds gather, and the waves stir.
The complainers don’t want anything to disrupt their neat little world and resist change at all cost. They get panicky when faced with just the prospect of change in direction as they see it as a loss of control. The optimistic can’t wait for change as it’s adventuresome, engaging, and expected to provide a great deal of excitement. They get bored with the same old, same old, and sometimes look for new direction only for the sake of a change they think will spice up life a little. Still others will adjust the sails to accommodate the winds, the waves, and the change in direction and go with flow.
Such is the dilemma the church has found itself in due to the pandemic. Some are waiting it out until things return to “normal “, some are meeting with opposition at trying to continue onward any way they can, and there are a remnant who have joined with God’s prevailing winds to ride out the storm. Maintaining His direction by going with Him and not against Him or ignoring Him is the key here.
If we are to be a nation united instead of divided we must stay the course with God as the leader and be willing to change directions at a moments notice. We must pray for God to change the course of this nation in Jesus name, and for the church as a whole to let go of fear, selfish intent, and exclusion in order to travel in the direction with God and not against Him.
There is the church within and the church without. Embrace the winds of change that will withstand the evils of this world by making the necessary lifetime adjustments in Jesus name, which ensures we are headed home free and secure. Adjust your sails!