The past few days I have been keenly aware of the gift, yes I said gift, that this quarantine has been. Once I got past the anger and disappointment and really started taking advantage of the quietness and space, I began to hear God very clearly. You see for several months now I have been wrestling with where God is directing my life. Am I working in the right place, serving in the right place, is God calling and directing me to something new or different? All questions that have been on my mind. Even to the point of longing for time and space to seek Him and listen. And boom, just like that I have been given the gift of that time and space. 

One of the realizations the Holy Spirit has led me to is how deep my sin nature runs. God has been faithful to systematically expose it to his light. A few days ago he brought an analogy to mind. Our spiritual lives are much like looking in the mirror. Just because I don’t look or refuse to look at something doesn’t mean that thing is not true. For example, me not wanting to look in the mirror or refusing to look closely because I don’t want to see an old out of shape lady looking back doesn’t mean that she does not exist. It just means I refuse to accept and acknowledge the truth.  The same is true for sin. Just because we don’t look at it, or refuse to acknowledge it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It is a choice that each of us make. There is another side to this as well. Once we see our reflection we can either address the sin we see or ignore and continue living as we always have. Just like with our natural reflection. There are so many mirrors that we each look into every day. Some show us the truth, some do not. Whether it is bad lighting, they are dirty, or it’s one of those wacky mirrors that make you appear taller or shorter than you really are, they all show a reflection of something. The same is true for the people and things we use to gage ourselves. The one true mirror is Jesus because the reflection he shows us is the one in the light of himself, exposing our sin but at the same time exposing His righteousness. 

Fast forward a few days and I found myself reading in Isaiah 55:1-5 and John 6. Both passages have to do with being hungry and thirsty. These passages are both so full and rich with truth. The following are just a few takeaways. Things that are true for each of us today.

1. Jesus alone is the One who saves us. He is the One who died for us. It is done!
2. Jesus loved us first and loves us so much more than any of us can ever love him.
3. Jesus is the only One who will ever satisfy us. Nothing and no one else ever will. Even if we have every single one of our heart’s desires, we would still be left wanting and looking for more. (Isaiah 55:5, John 6:27, 35)
4. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are called to follow Him. This means living differently than the world. There are two key words in that statement: living and different. If you look up “living” in the dictionary you will find this definition: active and functioning, full of life or vigor, going, operating, running or working. This means we must actually live our lives, not simply go through the motions and do the things we have always done just because that’s what has been done or is expected. Instead of going to church for example because that is what we do on Sundays, let’s go, engage, participate, invite, and take along, full on and all in. In the same way,  differently means not like everyone else! The dictionary definition includes words like: distinct, unusual and distinguishable. Not like anyone else we know, even if those people are living a godly life. God has made us each unique and therefore we are each called to live the life he has called us to, not someone else.
5. We cannot do this on our own. There is no reason to even try. The Spirit has to be the One living through us. It’s not going to be easy and I know for me that means surrendering daily, sometimes many times a day. It’s important to understand all of what Jesus is teaching in John 6 and the account of feeding the 5,000. I think too often we miss deeper meaning by rushing through passages we are almost too familiar with. Jesus fed 5,000 plus people with what didn’t seem like enough, yet it was more than enough to the point of having leftovers. Jesus is our bread and even though at times it may seem like He isn’t enough or doesn’t have enough for all of us – He does! He actually is more than enough for each of us and even has more to give! He calls us to an abundant life. (Matthew 26:41, John 6:63)
6. This is not an option! If you have been a follower of Jesus for any time at all -God has been leading and preparing us to be willing and available. He has indeed called each of us in a personal and unique way. What that means for me will be different than what it does for you. While we may not know what this means practically we must make the time to watch, listen and surrender to His will. Seeking the Spirit’s guidance and direction in all things. Even if we don’t fully understand all the  specifics we can work and serve faithfully and fully for God exactly where we are today. I am confident that if we keep seeking God’s direction and call on our lives, He will be faithful to point us to the path He has called us to walk. The truth is that regardless of where we are, there are people around us who don’t know Jesus, and that is not okay. How can we not share the love of Jesus?!

John 6:38 – Jesus says “I came not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.” Jesus, our Savior is saying I came not to do my will, but God’s. How can we not do the same?!  Just a few verses later in verse 60, Jesus’ disciples ask the question “This teaching is hard, who can accept it?” Valid question, right! Jesus never said the life he is calling us to would be easy. What he said is “I will be with you and I will send you a helper”. Let’s get out there and really live for Jesus today! Even though most of us are stuck at home, there is plenty we can do. If nothing else, use this extra time to dig deeply into God’s word, allowing him to prepare you for what comes next.