God's Presence

God's Promise

As I recover from this COVID 19 virus, my world has narrowed and broadened.  The days in the hospital were  spent alone most of the time with only the cell phone to communicate with family and the sweet nurses bringing me food and medicines. It became a time of reflection, prayer and thinking about the days ahead.  Knowing I would not ever be the same again for I had faced the most uncertain days of my life.  

I am most blessed to have good health with no illnesses and have  had to stay in the hospital only 3 or 4 times in my life.  This is my first major illness which is quite unsettling to me for I don't like not being able to hustle and bustle around and take care of everything and everybody.  It made me aware that I am not invincible and this body can become tired, listless, ache and not move as quickly as I would like.  Clearly, I am not as young as I used to be and this shook me up.  Being sick, weak and alone was frightening and lonely. 

The hospital room was my prison for 4 days. If you have the COVID 19 virus, you can spread it to others through the air. The hospital staff has to wear the self-contained masks with filters, extra plastic gowns and gloves. Being awakened at 4 AM by an "alien" from outer space was a little unnerving.  My vital signs I am sure went up when that light flipped on and there stood this "thing" with a needle in their hand inserting it in my IV. There was a window thank goodness, so I was aware of day and night and could watch the daybreak and nightfall.  Little blessings become huge blessings when God gives them just at the time you are almost out of hope.  

As I said, as my world narrowed to this room, my mind broadened.  It was a unique experience for I had time to lie there in the bed, look up ,evaluate my life and ask for  guidance for the rest of my days - hoping they would be many but not sure. What would God have me do to make a difference for him in this world? 

It is a world like we have never experienced before - disease, illness, economic depression, physical hunger and homelessness, racial unrest, political unrest, rioting, looting and a massive loss of self-respect and respect for others.  I have lived through the end of WW II, The Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, The Cold War, The Recession, Civil Rights Movement, and other conflicts but never have I experienced the coldness, darkness, hatred for self and others, greed and selfishness that I see all around me today. So many people thinking only of themselves, what they want. So many have no tolerance for the opinions of others if they are not the same as theirs.  Godliness is rampant in our world and Satan is marching to and fro causing pain and divisiveness.  It is surely a war of good against evil and at times evil seems to be winning. 

There are pictures of Portland Oregon, Chicago, New York and other cities that you would think were from the Middle East - total destruction.  People are killing each other over "stuff" or ideologies which is socialistic and Godless. What in the world is going to happen to me, my family and friends, and the peoples of this world if this continues?

The future seemed dark as I looked at the ceiling and waited for day to break and take away the darkness.  Lying there with only enough energy to look up, I realized that sometimes God puts us flat on our backs so we have to look up and see Him.  He has been there all the time but in our busyness, we don't take the time to talk to Him and listen to what He is saying to us.  We, or rather, I just hurry about doing my thing and asking God to bless my efforts.  I tend to live a life of hurry up and "do" something rather than sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him.  Martha is more my style than Mary for I tend to be "busy" rather than reflective.  

Through the days of lying in the bed, not feeling well, depressed and lonely, it became quite clear that I need to spend more time at the feet of Jesus in worship and praise of Him and wait on the Lord to show me what He needs for me to tell  and show the world about Him.  He is the source of my life and I am his hands and feet here on earth to minister in his name to others.  He is the fountain and I am the overflowing pitcher he will use to sprinkle his living water on others.  Only after I am filled with his living water can I overflow on others.  Fill me up Lord to overflowing!

I do believe with all my heart that everything that happens to us and every person we meet is a "divine appointment" from our Heavenly Father.  There is no "luck" or accident in the life of God's child for He knows everything that has happened, is happening, or will occur in the future.  He is a God of order and so our days are ordered by Him for His glory when we are obedient, trusting, listening, and following Him.  He is using me and you to show the world a taste of the eternal kingdom which is waiting for us.  

When we became a Christ Follower, or Christian, we entered the Kingdom of God for all eternity.  Now we are in the earthly realm preparing to transition into the eternal heavenly realm - the New Jerusalem, The Holy City of God, our eternal dwelling place where we will walk and talk with Jesus for all eternity.  Can I get a hallelujah?  But, our time before then should be spent in telling all others that God puts in our path that they too can be a part of this kingdom.  That should be my compelling desire every day to show someone how to go with me to live with the Lord here and in heaven. 

It is not only an eternal life in heaven but it is a full life lived here on earth before He calls us to our eternal home.  I cannot imagine what life would be without the joy, peace, love, friendships, and all the the blessings that God pours into my life each and every day.  Eternity begins at conception but where we spend it is our choice and I choose to spend it in the Kingdom of God.  Where will you spend yours?  I pray it is with our Creator, The I Am, the Jehovah God, the Healer, Father and the Shepherd of my days.  

As I am slowly gaining my strength back, I can now say thank you Father for blessing me with these days of inactivity so I would take the time to look up, see you, and then sit at your feet and listen to what you are saying.  Don't let me forget and slip back into this busy, empty world but to grow closer to you each minute of every day. 

I praise your Holy Name.