Nothing < JESUS

I wondered if I should write about this. It feels too close to home and too sensitive still. No matter where you live, right now you are aware of the spread of the coronavirus that has caused illness and, in some unfortunate cases, death. I want to offer up prayers for those that have been personally affected either by loss of a loved one, sickness, or temporary isolation from those you love. Prayers for peace through taking care of another or making arrangements that bring sorrow. I am praying that our elderly can stay protected from infection and that our children around the world continue to be protected from this virus.

This outbreak has brought out a lot of common threads among our human psychology. I’ve seen the outbreak of the scarcity mindset – wanting something for fear of it not being around much longer or just because someone else wants it too– and I’ve seen videos of the ugly side of envy, fear, worry, and coveting. Due to our protection, and rightly so, many social events, trips, job schedules, church services, and areas of social interaction have been cancelled. In our days of technology and the strain it can have on social interaction, what could be a venue of social isolation (internet and cell-phone usage) is ironically how we are able to stay social and connected with family, friends, and as a family of believers in these times. Let’s use it for good!

I don’t want this to be a puff piece for you and I won’t dare claim to know all of what has happened and what is coming ahead of us on these uncertain days, but I want to encourage you that God has His hands on us right now through it all.

Just last Sunday, as I was singing with my choir at church, during the last song we sang entitled, “It is Finished,” I had a moment. We were singing the ending and it was like someone turned up the volume of the entire congregation’s voices by 100 dB. I don’t have words to fully describe it other than it felt at that moment that the heavens came down and angels and loved ones in heaven were singing along with us. I have felt a large spiritual battle going on around me over the past few months and I’ve had some really cool God-winks and, if moments like this encourage you in your faith, I hope to keep sharing them.

While hearing about this invisible virus and it’s deathly, widespread reach, I was reminded of a childhood movie I loved watching growing up. To me, the coronavirus reminded me of “The Nothing”  from “The NeverEnding Story.” If you’ve seen this movie before, you may understand what I mean, but if you are not familiar with it, here is a brief summary.

A young man name Bastian decides to spend the school day hidden away in the school attic after being chased by a group of bullies. He begins to read a book tucked into his backpack entitled, “The NeverEnding Story.” In so many words, this book describes a beautiful and magical land called Fantasia that is being attacked by an evil, invisible force called “The Nothing” that is demolishing the land and killing all creatures and people that come in contact with it. In the end, it is explained that the Empress of Fantasia needs a new name, and when this happens, the Nothing will be conquered and the land and people of Fantasia can be restored. Bastian, the school-boy reader, is chosen as the only one that can give her a new name. At first, this little school boy can’t believe that a book character could be talking to him in real time, but as he follows the Empress’ last plea, he yells out her name into the darkness outside of the school attic’s window and the land of Fantasia, and all people and creatures, are restored.

Coronavirus, like the Nothing, is invisible, moving around us, causing fear, worry, sickness, death, isolation, fear of missing out, and a scarcity mindset. What can we do to fight this invisible battle ragging around us?

We must get into the WORD and call out HIS name. We must remember that something uncomfortable done temporarily can have huge positive reverberations. We need to be smart with our socialization, washing our hands (*and cleaning off your cell phones), and taking precautions that our leaders are asking us to take in the here and now while protecting ourselves and others. If you are quarantined, as hard as it may feel, just know it’s for a limited time. There is no shame over you. You are being prayed for more than you know.

Good thing is, there is no scarcity of faith. We have JESUS and there is plenty of Him to share around. The enemy is going to try so hard to discourage you, make you feel helpless, lonely, left behind, questioning God’s plan for you, but we must fight it! There is an abundance of joy, peace, faith, hope, love, trust, and promises of heaven beyond these days that can carry us through these uncertain moments.

I pray for eradication of fear that is pouring into your mind and for the following:

• Safety of our elderly.
• Continued protection over children.
• That jobs and financial matters are taken care of for you and your family.
• That our basic necessities are furnished.  
• Mental health can be sustained and cared for.
• Loneliness is given no foothold.
• Focus on our personal health, mentally and physically, will continue to be a priority.
• Eyes to see and a sound mind to refuse the lies Satan may choose to be whispering to you in these days ahead.

Let me remind you:

The Nothing in your world (virus, sickness, fear, invisibility, silence, comparison, envy, worry)

• …it can’t stop our God.
• …it can’t stop God’s plan for us.
• …it can’t stop our rest in our Savior.
• …it can’t stop our love for each other.
• …it can’t stop our faith in the Lord.
• …it can’t stop our ability to be a witness and example of peace.
• …it can’t stop the promise of HEAVEN to come.

We are a part of a BIGGER STORY and we know the Author personally. He is not surprised by any of this but will make a way for us to navigate through it with Him. His never ending story, that we are a part of, will NEVER END.

We will go where God wants us to go when He leads us. We will meet who God wants us to meet when He wants us to meet them. We will work where God wants us to work when He leads us there. We will eat what God blesses us to have on our tables. We will love whom God blesses us to be in contact with in these days we are in.

Call out HIS name and let’s see what HE WILL DO!

JESUS, we love You and TRUST You right now.

Continued prayers over you and your loved ones, our leaders, and those fighting to find a vaccine.

~Mandy

Some Bible Verses to Cling to:

““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew 1:23

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.””  Deuteronomy 31:8

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””  Matthew 11:28-30

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”   Matthew 6:25-34

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalms 62:8

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

Some Encouraging Songs to Listen to:

• “Anxious” by Sarah Reeves
• “It is Finished / Surrounded” by Passion
• “Remember” by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
• “Defender (Neon Feather Remix)” by Francesca Battistelli, Steffany Gretzinger, Neon Feather
• “Goodness of God” by The Worship Initiative, Bethany Barnard
• “See a Victory” by Elevation Worship
• “In the Meantime” by Hannah Kerr
• “Fighting for Me” by Riley Clemmons
• “Not Today” by Hillsong UNITED
• “You Say” by Lauren Daigle
• “Haven’t Seen It Yet” by Danny Gokey