In February after coming home from a Bible study game night I was nearly hit by a car. I was okay and at the time I thanked God for saving my life. Now I wish he would have taken it then.
Life was going fine for me I was socializing and going to Church then mid March everything including Church is shut down due to the pandemic.
The first month was fine catching up on exercise and education videos.
After which April rolls around and I start to indulge in inappropriate contentography.
Then the months drag on no Church just fake virtual Church and Zoom group meetings that grow old fast.
Now when I go out I see people wearing masks and avoiding each other.well should say that. Some creepy guy approached me at the park Saturday. I was afraid but left the park and now I am afraid to go out because of all the negative mask wearing.
So why did God bother to save my life so I can suffer through this antisocial pandemic? At least if I would have died I would have gone to Heaven happy.
Walking with Christ was never easy, and it never will be easy. People go through trials and tribulations but it doesn't mean God doesn't love you or care about you. The apostles never had it easy and 11 of the 12 of them suffered persecution.
Lets look at John 21:15-24
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
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Now this might mean something completely different to you, but i want to share to you what i believe this is signifying. But i would also encourage you to pray to Lord to show you what he wants you to see from this passage. So lets look at verse 18.
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
What do i believe this verse is saying. Well to me i believe this verse is saying we grow up two times in this life. When we grow up we are a part of this world and are of this world and we do what we want when we want as we please, until the day that we confess with our mouth and believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and saviour. And then we become a new creation in Christ and God leads us spiritually. And now God is going to bring you to places and have you go through trials and tribulations and do things that are outside your comfort zone, but that is not to scare you off or make you despise the Lord it is so that you can bring Glory to the father by following in Christs footsteps and setting an example, this shows people the hope we have through Jesus Christ. We do not get to have it easier than Jesus did.
I would encourage you to read 1 Peter 1: 3-16
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Be Holy
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
I know times can be rough, but instead of praying for things to be easier, pray for God to show you his glory through all this. This is only a small fraction of what we will experience when the tribulation comes.
