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It’s Time To Listen

We all know about the Corona virus. And it is something that I have never seen in my lifetime, nor did I ever think I’d see something like this. Businesses are shut down, people are being laid off or fired, whole cities are quarantined for days and counting. It looks like this pandemic is going to get worse before it gets better. There as well have been numerous questions about this outbreak, from where it came from? What are the symptoms? Prevention? Why isn’t the government doing more? When will it end? (That’s my question) One of the things about those who are quarantined that didn’t think about as much is those that are quarantined and do not have a home or a safe place to go to during this lockdown, most but not all are in. There are men, women and children who are in shelters, and their going to work, or kids going to school is there safe haven or way out or how they eat and more and now that’s been taken away from them. This is a time that is very unwavering for most, including myself. But there as well have been people doing there best to look at the bright side of things, despite the circumstance we’re all facing, stating that we are in this together. (#alonetogether) As well as social media and streaming services are making things lighter and keeping us entertained as most have nowhere to go. So there is good and bad.

Now for those in the Christian community, we know we are not exempt from these troubles. We are facing it all along with everyone else. Trying to keep the faith and allowing God to be our peace, which can be hard when it feels chaotic around you. This virus has shutdown so much of our daily distractions. From work, sports events (March Madness) schools, even eating out and going shopping. The priority level has shifted to what is necessary and vital. It has also shifted us into thinking about the plans God has not just for us but for others. This virus has uprooted us from our day to day norm. And that is unnerving but it can be necessary. I believe; along with a few others, that this is a way for God to get our attention. And he can use any method to do so. This time he decided to break out a virus. “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ -Malachi 3:7 We can’t look at why God did this, only because that’s a waste of time, but we can look at what God is trying to tell us in the midst of all this.

God Can Bring Us Closer to Him. Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. – Zechariah 1:3 And I say closer, not bring back to Him because these two are different. If you are a person who feels disconnected from the Lord or wants more of God’s spirit or heart, there is always a way for God to help you feel his presence and to help you see your need for him. So if you need to get closer; especially theses past few weeks, just look around and be aware. There’s never been a better time to get as close as you can to the one who is in control of everything.

God Can Bring Us Back to Him Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:6-7 Now when God brings persons back, he does so when there are some things in your life that has distracted you or detoured you from who God is so strongly that you have no acknowledgement of his power, his presence, his creation, his grace etc . This is for those who have given up on God or do not know God at all and have ignored Him. Going about their lives as though they are in control of their own destiny; so to speak. With what is happening around the world right now, this is a huge display of God speaking to everyone who is lost and needs to change their ways before its too late. God is full of mercy and grace. He is just and fair, but he is also full of wrath and is a jealous God. (“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. – Deuteronomy 4:24) Don’t take these unprecedented events lightly. Let’s be safe, let’s be aware, and let’s become conscious and reach out to the one who can destroy both body and spirit. Not one of us can afford to waste any time.