"So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by."
Exodus 33:22
Photo by Ben White
The other day, Kevin and I ventured out to Aldi to buy some things we needed. As we pulled into the parking space, I went into what I have come to call a "coughing fit." No, thank the dear Lord, I am not sick. I have had this cough for many years and it's triggered by asthmatic symptoms that are brought on by GERD. But, if you were around me and didn't know that, you may take a few steps back when you heard me cough. As I let the coughing fit run its course and took sips of water to try to calm it, I started calling on the Lord. "Lord, please don't let me cough in there." I didn't want to add any anxiety to anyone's already stressed-out state of mind. Thank the Lord, He answered, and I didn't cough one time while we were inside the store.
As we made our way up and down the aisles, picking up things and putting them in our cart, I was brought to tears. More than once. Everyone was SO sad looking. And anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE to meet people, talk to them, and interact. I never meet a stranger and rarely go anywhere without connecting with at least one person. During that shopping trip, I didn't get to do that at all. Each time someone started walking down the aisle toward me, we both had the same knee-jerk reaction—to recoil from one another and avoid each other, as if we had "the plague." Literally.
As Kevin and I walked along, my eyes fell on the Easter candy on the shelf beside us. Through tears, I said, "This is so sad. Children won't even get to have their Easter egg hunts this year." Thinking about that and the high school and college seniors who won't get to attend their graduation ceremonies and how Zach's friend's cousin's "Sweet 16" birthday party had to be cancelled makes me so sad. I can't help but cry. These are once-in-a-lifetime events. Moments that can never be relived.
Has the full impact of what is going on started to hit you with the force it is hitting me? One of the Scriptures that stays most often on my mind lately is Luke 21:26, where Jesus said, "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
We are seeing these prophecies fulfilled right before our very eyes. People are becoming downright faint of heart. Who would have EVER thought we would see happen what is happening? As I am writing this, the death toll in Italy is over 16,500. Over 13,300 have died in Spain. Over 3,300 have died in China. Since the first diagnosed case of coronavirus in the United States on January 20th, COVID- 19 deaths have now passed the 10,700 mark. By the time you read this, these numbers will probably be much higher, sad to say.
The Olympics cancelled—can you imagine the disappointment in the hearts of all the young people who have been training so hard nearly all their lives? The Masters' Golf Tournament cancelled. Whole sporting seasons cancelled. Church services cancelled. School cancelled. Weddings postponed. Everyone walking around at least six (now they're saying it should be ten because a sneeze can take that far to hit the ground) feet away from one another. No handshakes. Not even fist bumps. Hugs? Totally out of the question. Scared to touch cardboard box packages the mailman delivers. Afraid to open regular mail for fear the envelope may have live virus residue on it. Airplanes grounded.
Who would have ever dreamed American families would be told to stay inside their homes or else face the possibility of jail time?
Thankfully, a "shelter-in-place" or "stay-at-home" order isn't a problem for our family. I absolutely love, and I do mean LOVE, staying home. We spend a great deal of time at home. Since our wake-up call in early 2015, God has led us on a steady path to stillness. We intentionally live out what some would call boring and very simple, basic lives - all this, as the world around us continues on at breakneck speed. Until now.
Exodus 33:22
The other day, Kevin and I ventured out to Aldi to buy some things we needed. As we pulled into the parking space, I went into what I have come to call a "coughing fit." No, thank the dear Lord, I am not sick. I have had this cough for many years and it's triggered by asthmatic symptoms that are brought on by GERD. But, if you were around me and didn't know that, you may take a few steps back when you heard me cough. As I let the coughing fit run its course and took sips of water to try to calm it, I started calling on the Lord. "Lord, please don't let me cough in there." I didn't want to add any anxiety to anyone's already stressed-out state of mind. Thank the Lord, He answered, and I didn't cough one time while we were inside the store.
As we made our way up and down the aisles, picking up things and putting them in our cart, I was brought to tears. More than once. Everyone was SO sad looking. And anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE to meet people, talk to them, and interact. I never meet a stranger and rarely go anywhere without connecting with at least one person. During that shopping trip, I didn't get to do that at all. Each time someone started walking down the aisle toward me, we both had the same knee-jerk reaction—to recoil from one another and avoid each other, as if we had "the plague." Literally.
As Kevin and I walked along, my eyes fell on the Easter candy on the shelf beside us. Through tears, I said, "This is so sad. Children won't even get to have their Easter egg hunts this year." Thinking about that and the high school and college seniors who won't get to attend their graduation ceremonies and how Zach's friend's cousin's "Sweet 16" birthday party had to be cancelled makes me so sad. I can't help but cry. These are once-in-a-lifetime events. Moments that can never be relived.
Has the full impact of what is going on started to hit you with the force it is hitting me? One of the Scriptures that stays most often on my mind lately is Luke 21:26, where Jesus said, "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
We are seeing these prophecies fulfilled right before our very eyes. People are becoming downright faint of heart. Who would have EVER thought we would see happen what is happening? As I am writing this, the death toll in Italy is over 16,500. Over 13,300 have died in Spain. Over 3,300 have died in China. Since the first diagnosed case of coronavirus in the United States on January 20th, COVID- 19 deaths have now passed the 10,700 mark. By the time you read this, these numbers will probably be much higher, sad to say.
The Olympics cancelled—can you imagine the disappointment in the hearts of all the young people who have been training so hard nearly all their lives? The Masters' Golf Tournament cancelled. Whole sporting seasons cancelled. Church services cancelled. School cancelled. Weddings postponed. Everyone walking around at least six (now they're saying it should be ten because a sneeze can take that far to hit the ground) feet away from one another. No handshakes. Not even fist bumps. Hugs? Totally out of the question. Scared to touch cardboard box packages the mailman delivers. Afraid to open regular mail for fear the envelope may have live virus residue on it. Airplanes grounded.
Who would have ever dreamed American families would be told to stay inside their homes or else face the possibility of jail time?
Thankfully, a "shelter-in-place" or "stay-at-home" order isn't a problem for our family. I absolutely love, and I do mean LOVE, staying home. We spend a great deal of time at home. Since our wake-up call in early 2015, God has led us on a steady path to stillness. We intentionally live out what some would call boring and very simple, basic lives - all this, as the world around us continues on at breakneck speed. Until now.
For those who live in the fast lane and are used to being extremely busy, these mandates must be a hard pill to swallow.
I don't know if anyone else looks at it this way, but I believe GOD is trying to get our attention. To slow us all down. To make us stop and consider the spiritual condition of our world and how we have turned our backs on Him. Could it be that since we refused to "BE STILL" on our own, God has forced us to? Perhaps He had to remove all the distractions and the idols that vie for our time with Him and drag us kicking and screaming into a mandatory season of stillness? I have a heavy burden on my heart about the spiritual reasons for all that is happening, and I will tell you that the things He has been revealing to me are extremely sobering. At this point, I'm not sure whether or not He will have me share them here.
For now, I hope these Scriptures will be a comfort to you as you stay in your homes in such a strange and unfamiliar season of forced stillness.
"But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him."
Habakkuk 2:20 (KJV)
"Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for He is springing into action from His holy dwelling.” Zechariah 2:13 (NLT)
“In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business.” William Penn
"Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."
Psalm 37:7 (NLT)
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
Psalm 4:4 (KJV)
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Psalm 46:10,11 (KJV)
“When Christ delays to help His saints now, you think this is a great mystery, you cannot explain it; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. Be still, and know that Christ is God.”
Robert Murray McCheyne
“When Christ delays to help His saints now, you think this is a great mystery, you cannot explain it; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. Be still, and know that Christ is God.”
Robert Murray McCheyne
"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:13,14 (KJV)
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still."
Psalm 107:28,29 (KJV)
"Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes."
I Samuel 12:16 (ESV)
“If God is spending work upon a Christian, let him be still and know that it is God. And if he wants work, he will find it there–in the being still.”
Henry Drummond
Henry Drummond
"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)
God has orchestated for us to be pulled aside, and we are now in a season that allows us to make the decision to choose that good part. To sit long and often at Jesus' feet. To absorb what He is trying to say to us. To listen. To stop squirming and trying to get away from Him in this mandatory stillness.
As chaos continues, we can allow the hand of our Savior to hide us "in the cleft of the rock" and shield us from all that is happening in our world.
What a blessed thought!
As chaos continues, we can allow the hand of our Savior to hide us "in the cleft of the rock" and shield us from all that is happening in our world.
What a blessed thought!
Keep encouraged, dear friends!
God is with us still.
I'm taking advantage of this inconvenient time to spend more time in prayer and self-reflection. That's a good thing! It is sad to see how it's affected our country and others around the globe. As Americans, we are not used to being forced into doing something by the government that isn't Constitutional. Yes, we should want to practice social distancing for the health of others, but that should come from our hearts, not from a mandate. Hoping our economy will soon come roaring back, and if it's God's will, that will happen!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Cheryl!
It is hard to know what the Lord's will is concerning the future of our economy. We have made money our idol and trusted in our own resources instead of God's provision. SO much of modern day life is based on the foundation of greed. I see so much going on in the spiritual realm during this time and can't help but believe that God is trying to get our attention - not only through the plague but also through the shaking of our idols. I always so enjoy and appreciate your comments, Martha, and can't thank you enough for your visit today. Stay safe and healthy!
DeleteCheryl I had the SAME experience today. Mine was out walking my dog and riding my bike. Even people doing that on our first 77+ degree, sunny day didn't make eye contact. Oh there were a few (older people, not young) who smiled and said hello but in general - stern faces looking straight ahead. I'm making it a point to be cheerful and chatty with the check out people when I have to go to the store. One clerk told me in all her 30 years as a cashier she's never encountered so many rude and mean people! What is wrong with people? I know - sin. I pray that this draws people TO the Savior and not away from Him. That they see HE truly IS the ONLY source of rescue! Stay safe and well!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it so sad? We are not only socially distancing, it seems there is emotional distancing, also. That is so sad that the cashier is being treated so rudely! I don't think people are getting the message at all. This is the time to humble ourselves before God, NOT become more mean and rude. It just shows how far we have really strayed away from God and a propensity to turn to Him and look inward in times of adversity. Dear Lord, help us to be His light in these dark times! Thank you so much for your visit today, Lauren!
DeleteI understand exactly. I was at the store a couple weeks ago you could see and smell the fear in people. I also agree that nothing is a coincidence in this life. May we confess our sins and may God heal our nation spiritually, physically, and materially.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those hundred mile an hour people, but I'm trying, even though the government says my business is essential, to slow down and seek our Father in this time.
Hang in there. We're apart but we're in it together. God hears our prayers.
YES! Confession HAS to come before healing - that is the part I see missing in this equation. I am thankful you are still able to keep working during this time. God is so good to take care of His own, even in times of famine and distress. He is ever faithful! Yes, we are in it together - so thankful for that. God bless you, Floyd.
DeleteOh Cheryl, my heart agrees with you. I haven't left the house in over a week now and I'm perfectly content. I just wish Dennis could stay here with me. I miss chatting with people, but I have heard so many say the same as you. You can feel, see and almost taste the fear in people.
ReplyDeleteGod is with us. He and I talk together every night as I fall asleep. He is there when I wake up in the night to let me talk to Him again until I fall back to sleep. I have hymns playing on the TV from utube as I work around the house. I have found several playlists that play over 10 hours of constant hymns. There is nothing better to have playing in the background than those old songs that take me back to my childhood. I miss them in the modern church but I'll never stop playing them in my home and my car. They lift my spirits and sooth the worries in my heart and head.
May God continue to bless you, Kevin and Zach and give you peace in these tryings days. God will NEVER leave us or forsake us. He will be with us and caring for us whatever may come.
Blessings and love,
Betsy
Yes, I surely understand what you mean. It seems that sometimes I hardly know when one prayer ends and the next one begins. Oh, what would we do without prayer? You and I are so blessed that prayer was already such an intergral part of our daily lives, and we had already set that precedent. Now doesn't feel that much different in a lot of ways. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement today. It truly meant so much. Blessings and love back to you, my friend!
DeleteIt is so very sad that when you look simply into the eyes of another even from a distance you see the sadness. I just keep telling myself...Cindy...look into the eyes of Jesus....focus on Him...I hope that you and your lovely family has a most blessed Resurrection day Cheryl. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYes, it surely is so very sad. Such hopelessness. We have to continue to shine His light, even when things are so dark, and we are fighting the despair ourselves. He is our only hope! You have a blessed resurrection day, too, Cindy. Hugs and blessings to you, too!
DeleteWhat a time we are living in! As believers our hearts are heavy during this time but in a different way than those who don't know the Lord. My prayer is that all the scared, weary souls will be drawn to the Lord in the middle of all of this uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing it is to have fellow believers to lift each other up and encourage one another in the truth of God's Word. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement Cheryl! This most definitely is a time to be still and know that He is God.
Love,
Annie
Yes, amen, Annie! I am so grateful for you and your support and kind words of encouragement. How we need God and the fellowship of His people in these hard times. Many blessings to you today!
DeleteI went to the grocery store yesterday, and felt the palpable fear as well. I wore a mask that I had made, just to try it out. It's not mandatory yet. It was so hard to smile at folks, because how could they see your face? I chatted with the cashier, and she was so happy to interact with me. She said it had been a madhouse. I was glad to get back home. In our rural community, most people are quite well stocked, and other than lack of sugar, flour and toilet paper, everything on the shelves was well stocked. But there is such a strange sense of the palpable fear in the area. And now, more than ever our hope and trust must be in the LORD! We can lift our heads, look around and smile, and show the world hope. Our hope is in JESUS and I love how you chose to focus on stillness as well, as that is what the Lord had laid on my heart recently as well, Psalms 46, Be still and know that I am God. He does not change, and this situation is not new to Him. He has the answer. That brings me great comfort. Thank you for this wonderful encouraging post! I take heart in knowing all is well, in Him!
ReplyDeleteOh, it is SO sad! To think you were wanting to smile at people and they couldn't see you smile! That just makes tears come to my eyes. I am so thankful you got to talk to that weary cashier. Bless her heart, you may have been the only kind face she had seen in a while. I'm glad you were able to find what you needed and everything was so well stocked. Stillness. YES. Stillness, at His feet - I am finding such precious fellowship with Him right in the midst of all that is going on. Thank you so much for your precious encouragement. God bless you and keep you and your family safe and healthy continually!
DeleteYes ... I think God is speaking to the people of the world. But some are not listening still. Perhaps they'll never will!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Victor, I fear you are so right. It came to me the other day that people are not even seeing any of this as being GOD trying to get their attention. They just don't get it. That bothers me because we SO need to repent and humble ourselves and acknowledge that HE is God. That is the only way we are going to see the revival we so desperately need. God bless you, too, and please take good care and stay safe.
DeleteHi, neighbor, Ed told me he spoke with Kevin this week and I hope we can do the same before too long. I, too, love staying home and cherish "quiet" after many years of noise and forced camaraderie. Once asked how I could always be so cheerful, my answer was true - I wouldn't come to work if I couldn't put a smile on my face. Not only did I want to keep "down" days between God and myself until I could work it out (possibly with a friend or Ed) but a bad mood inflicted on others is, in my opinion, rude. I learned and still practice praying for people who won't meet my eye and smile and to not take it personally, (unfortunately, usually my first reaction), It's not about me. Thank you for your blog and words of encouragement. I'm encouraged, too, by the wonderful preaching and teachings available online and so grateful for FaceTime and other ways to connect with people I love. A few of our grandchildren told me today that their parents learned that the Easter Bunny is Covid-19 free and the sermon I heard last week assured us that EASTER IS NOT CANCELED! He is Risen! He is risen, indeed!
ReplyDeleteHello, sweet friend! Yes, Kevin loved talking to Ed. You are always cheerful and such a blessing. Yes, maybe we can chat soon, even if it does have to be from a distance! Thank you for reading my blog. You are such an encouragement to me, too. Yes, praise God, Easter is not, nor will it ever be cancelled! I think Jesus wants us to focus on HIM - the real reason for the season. SO, so thankful He surely is risen indeed!!
DeleteDear Cheryl, you have such a tender heart dear friend. I can picture you at Aldi's, grieving for what is happening. Yes, it is very sad that people will miss so many special events, but I'm wondering if they will create other memories that might even be more special in their own way, and certainly worth telling about in the future to their children. Let's pray we are all courageous and seek to redeem this time. Like you, staying home is not at all a hardship for me. If I wasn't looking at the news or aware of so many struggles out there, I could be quite content. I love the idea of being still. Lord give us eyes to see and ears to hear what You have to show us. Blessings to you, xo Deborah
ReplyDeleteDear Deborah, Your words were such a blessing to me and really touched my heart. Thank you so much! You are so right - perhaps they are making even more special memories that they will look back on and recall with such fondness later. I so appreciate and agree with all you said. Many blessings and much love to you, sweet friend.
DeleteCheryl, What a sweet post sharing your thoughts and experiences. I have seen that also... fear, trepidation, sadness, and also sometimes I have seen a yearning for the way things "should be". Life is so different and may never get back to "normal", yet we must go on and deal with the grieving we all must feel on some level. Yet, there are still blessings and how important to praise God and pray. We are at home (one family member still goes to work, but the others are laid off) and doing lots of things we haven't had time for.. and spending time with each other, cherishing each other especially as we do not know what the future holds. God has a plan and we will praise Him, even when it hurts. Time at home may be hard... and yet things could be so much worse and we may actually see them get worse and yearn for this time of stillness. Let's appreciate it while it is here. God is still good and growing in Him is a good way to utilize some of this "down" time.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, dear friend. I wonder, too, if life will ever be "normal" again. I am concerned about this setting a precedent concerning certain freedoms. How I cherish this stillness, too! I don't want that part to end. It reminds me of the simpler times from long ago that I am always craving to get back to. Maybe God is doing that in some way. YES, let's appreciate it while it is here. I am so thankful for you and your friendship and encouragement. Praying for you and sending love your way.
DeleteOther than not being able to get to our primary residence right now we are doing well sheltering in place in a secondary home we've kept in the United States. Like you I fear needing to cough to wipe my nose in pubic. We've been doing online ordering and parking lot pickups at our local store since early March. It's less scary for me and helps me protect others just in case. - Margy
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like great ideas to shop online and parking lot pickups. I have never seen such a time as this and continually seek the Lord for protection over my family and me. I trust the Lord will keep you and your family safe and healthy, also, Margy. I so appreciate your visit!
DeleteOh I totally believe God is trying to get our attention. Dolly Parton said something similar and of course they were people who whined. "Nice article of she didn't bring religion into the conversation" "God hasn't got anything to do with it! It's Mother Nature" and I can go on. I sure hope people get their act together before it's too late. Thank you Cheryl. Praying you all stay well.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Regina, that is one of the main things that is bothering me right now. People are NOT seeing this as being God trying to get our attention. They just aren't getting it at all and are still trying to remove Him from the equation and overlook Him. I am not, in any way, a pessimist, and I always try to find the good in things, but I'll tell you the truth. I think things are going to get even worse because people's hearts are so hardened toward God, and I believe there is going to have to be a whole lot more humbling and acknowledging Him as sovereign. Oh, our world has grown so cold to Him and as the Bible says, "there is no fear of God before their eyes." May He continually find us faithful at our post of duty staying prayerful and humble before Him.
DeleteThank you Cheryl for this post. I never dreamed that anything like this would go on all over the world. Yes, what is God saying? Be still He reminds us but do we really listen or does He have to still us! Thanks my friend, I always look forward to how God will use you to encourage me. Have a blessed Easter. He Is Alive!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, I never dreamed anything like this would happen either. It is just completely devastating to our economy and so many things that we have erected as idols and put them before God. I believe with all my heart, He has allowed things to develop the way they have to get us into a place of stillness where He can deal with us. But, as Regina said above, people are scoffing and not seeing God in this at all. They do not want to acknowledge God because then they would have to feel accountable and reproved for their sins. Dear Lord, help us all. I am SO thankful for your sweet visit and kind words!
DeleteHi Sweet Friend, Your sweet, empathetic heart is such a sweet testimony to the beautiful person that you are.
ReplyDeleteI was reflecting upon this very thing this morning that in some ways, God is being merciful by sending this pandemic, because through it many who never prayed before are calling out to God while those who are His, are drawing near to Him more than they ever did before. The Lord desires relationship with His people and He will use His perfect means to accomplish that. We may find out when we are in Heaven, that the pandemic was actually part of His plan to usher in His ultimate return when the last person He has chosen before the worlds began to come to Faith has responded when He promises then and only then will He return.
Thank you for always sharing your heart in such a sweet and humble way, never sugar coating, but always delivering your thoughts with profound love.
Sending you much love and gratitude.
Mandatory stillness. Yes, yes, Cheryl! Our hearts have been craving it. We just never expected to have the invitation come in this way ...
ReplyDeleteBless you and yours during these at home days.