What’s it all about? Alfie?
Remember that song from way back when? It has nothing to do with what’s going on today, but it came to mine as I sat down to write.
What on earth does this mean?
Shelter in place, stay at home, shut down non-essential businesses, social distancing, stay safe… Wear a mask! It’s a weird time we’re living in. Who will obey the rules? Do the rules matter? Share on XHave you ever heard the term, “…float a trial balloon…” in relation to testing a theory, or to determine how the public may accept some new law? A trial balloon was simply a test to see how the reaction of others might be. Some will be giddy with excitement, others will moan, and still, others will fight back, while some will simply accept the inevitable.
Could it simply be that we need to look at this pandemic, COVID-19, the Coronavirus, simply as a trial balloon to see how we will react?
- Did we follow rules set by those we placed in power to lead us?
- Perhaps this pandemic simply shows us the holes in our system.
- Or, could it be this is simply the first of many tests to weed out the weaklings until only the strong survive.
Hmmm… Whatever it may be, my intent is to survive this trial like I do so many others. Victorious!
Here’s My Thought Today
From ancient history through modern times, we often hear from our sages, teachers, prophets and others, tough times are ahead. Soothsayers warn, prognosticators declare, sages smoothly proclaim.
The future is going to be a boogey bear!
In Biblical times (Old and New Testament) we find many such events. The one that comes to mind was of Hezekiah. He began his reign and did what was right (2 Kings 18-20), but then made some mistakes as the trials came. The prophet, Isaiah, tells him he will get sick and die, and walks away from him.
What would you do?
Hezekiah did what any person with an ounce of spirituality in his position would do.
“Hezekiah turned to the wall and prayed to the LORD,”
2 Kings 20:2 (GW)
Could it simply be this is our answer to God during our trials? Pray.
“Our prayers may be awkward.
Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it
and not in the one who says it,
our prayers do make a difference.”
~Max Lucado
Prayer changes things!
Notice what happens to Hezekiah.
“Isaiah hadn’t gone as far as the middle courtyard when the LORD spoke his word to him: “Go back and say to Hezekiah, leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I’ve heard your prayer. I’ve seen your tears. Now I’m going to heal you. The day after tomorrow you will go to the LORD’S temple. I’ll give you 15 more years to live. I’ll rescue you and defend this city from the control of the king of Assyria for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'””
2 Kings 20:4-6 (GW)
Isn’t this what we want to hear? Did you expect God to answer so quickly? Before Isaiah could even get halfway through the middle court outside of where Hezekiah was…
I’ve seen your tears.
I’ve heard your prayer.
Now. I’m going to heal you. ~God
If God could then, can he do it again? Anyone ready to pray for a solution that can only come from God?
Pray. Listen. God hears. God does.
Last Note…
Have you noticed how the diagrams of COVID-19 look similar to the dandelion in the picture for this blog? One is dangerous, and the other? Well, it’s simply a seed producer to replicate itself when blown upon.
Maybe we need God’s breath to dispel this virus as easily as your breath reduces this seed pod to nothing but a stem…
I’ve called them breath prayers for some years now. Every word you speak is a breath that contains a prayer. Breath this problem away with your words. Pray.