As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, I can’t say that this COVID adventure is in my top 10 favorite adventures. Indeed, it would probably land in the bottom 5 for my lowest preferences. “Adventure” usually means doing something, possibly risky, with an unknown outcome. I really like adventures, normally, and the unknown outcome or possible risk doesn’t often bother me. However, this COVID adventure is a bit different because it seems to have a very long timeline with bad results all along the way. I don’t want to enumerate what the bad results could be, because I’d prefer to encourage your faith from a helpful Bible example.
I’ve been reading about Abram (Abraham) lately, starting in Genesis 12 and I think his adventure in faith could really help you at this time. For starters, God told Abram to set out on this faith adventure and go to a land that God would show him. Similar to our situation, we don’t know where all this COVID adventure will land or how it all shakes out, but we can trust with great confidence that God is in control and knows the beginning from the end, as well as each step and each day along this journey.
Furthermore, Abram probably spent several months walking away from Haran and moving toward the land that God would show him. I suspect this was a daily walk of faith that Abram had to choose, as well as prioritizing faith over doubt, fear, uncertainty, discouragement and more. To this end, let’s actively choose faith each day, trusting in God’s goodness, faithfulness and never-ending love. Just like Abram might have been discouraged by his bleak surroundings (since he was walking through some desolate terrain), we could also get discouraged with news reports, employment concerns and other stuff. Let’s choose, nevertheless, to keep our faith and focus on God.
Finally, after several weeks if not months, Abram comes to Canaan and God tells him that this is the land that God would give to Abram’s descendants. In response, Abram built an altar there and then traveled deeper into Canaan, pitching his tent and building another altar near Bethel (which means “House of God”). In a similar way, God will let us know when we have finished this part of our faith adventure. Like Abram, it’s very fitting and appropriate to respond to God with worship and recognizing God for Who They (Trinity) are. I want to accentuate that God is Triune, just to help you remember that there’s more…
…God than COVID
…God than fear
…God than uncertainty
…God than lack
…God than politics
…God than human wisdom
So let’s actively choose faith as we walk with God through this COVID adventure! To help you with this choice, I’m listing some encouraging verses below for strengthening your faith. You might consider copying these verses to the home screen on your phone and computer. You could also print off these verses and post them in your bathroom, on your fridge, microwave, workspace and keep a copy handy if you take a walk or grocery shop, etc. And you might also consider sharing this blog on your Facebook/social media, emailing it to some friends and family, and giving to people who could use some encouragement in this season.
Here are some verses that could help you along this journey:
Rom 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Cor 16:13, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
2 Cor 5:7, “…for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
James 1:3, “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Jude 20-21, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
