Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: EXPECTATION (01/28/21)
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TITLE: Caught by Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Carolyn Ahrens
02/03/21 -
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Families have grown smaller as thousands have succumbed to Covid. There’s now an empty chair at the dinner table where a loved one once sat. Holiday and family gatherings have been changed forever.
Did we ever think there’d be a worldwide lockdown? I doubt it. Never did I believe thousands would lose their lives from a pandemic here in the United States… maybe in a third world country, but not here. It caught us by surprise.
We were simply living our lives…children going to school and people going to work…churches open for worship, having no expectation of what was looming. Our lives were about to change like we’d never known before.
Pondering on this virus got me to thinking about the story of Noah. Everyone was going about their business as usual. They didn’t believe Noah when he told them a flood was coming. They laughed at him and continued with their routines until they were caught by surprise and swept away.
With the pandemic and other unsettling things happening, I’m reading about the last days in the bible. People will be going about their daily routines, just as they were in the days of Noah, having no expectation that an event, which much of the world doesn’t believe in, is about to happen (the coming of the Lord).
Luke 21:10-11: the “Living Bible” translation states 10 for nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and famines in many lands, and epidemics, and terrifying things happening in the heavens.
Seems like these things are happening now… epidemics, people, and kingdoms coming against each other. Could this virus be one of those signs? Is it here to open our eyes… to show us things are lining up for Jesus’ return? It certainly gives us something to ponder. Only God knows when that time will be, but we must watch with the expectation that it could be any day and not be caught by surprise. Until then, we are to keep busy doing the Lord’s work.
Having Covid caused me to look at myself and I didn’t like what I saw. I got a dose of reality I wasn’t expecting. This virus reminded me that life is short with no time to waste.
Jesus said to tend his sheep, another word, help people. To be his hands, feet, and mouthpiece to show his love.
While being laid up, I’ve admitted to myself that I’m selfish and a procrastinator. I make excuses why I’m not doing the Lord’s work when I could be. Countless times I didn’t volunteer at church or give to shelters when they needed it? Often I’d rationalize why I couldn’t help a neighbor? The elderly need companionship…this costs me nothing but time. I can’t be on a mission field, but I can contribute to those who can. There are homeless veterans that need supplies. Why can’t I make care packages and give to them? Isn’t it the least I can do? They put their lives on the line for us… many came home forever changed, while many others never came home at all. Why can’t I volunteer at a VA hospital or care home to encourage a wounded or elderly veteran? Could it be that I make excuses simply because I’m selfish? Why do I say “I’ll do it tomorrow” when the need is today? It’s simply procrastination and I’m the queen of it!
After testing positive for Covid, I expected to be sick but didn’t expect to have an awakening about myself. Did God use this virus to help me see the kind of person I’d become? Possibly. I’m ashamed of what I discovered, but I don’t have to remain ashamed.
If God grants me good health again, what will I do differently? Will I tend his sheep or continue making excuses? Will I give a little or give all that I can?
I can’t help everyone, but I can do more than in the past. Let me stop making excuses when there is a need I can meet. May I be a vessel used to show the love of Jesus and help others grow closer to Him.
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