July 2020

If you are like me, you've had at least one moment in this whole COVID-19 experience where you looked up to heaven and said, "Can this just be done already?"  I mean, seriously, 2020 has been the most unique year of my 61 years of life so far.  Don't get me wrong, there have been some good things coming from this.  But this 30 day 'wait for the peak' is turning into several months now.  Some of you understand what I'm talking about, the kind of season where you wish you could hit a fast forward button to simply get to the end of it!  At times it feels like 2020 has given someone else the remote control and they are wildly flipping through the channels with stuff I'd rather not see!!  When I see something totally crazy I often think, "Someone needs to stand up and do something!"  At times, Jesus has whispered, "You be the someone.  You be the difference.  You be the change."  It's tempting to think my little effort won't make a difference in the grand scheme of things. But that is where I am wrong.  I'm reminded that even the tiniest pebble thrown into the pond makes ripples, impacting the surrounding water.  So, I continue to look for opportunities to be the difference anyway and anywhere I can.    

I want to encourage you to remember that your 'little bit' can make a difference too!    How does one know what to do or where to start?  First and foremost, by staying plugged into the Vine.  Only Jesus can give us the strength, the hope and courage to move forward for the times we are in, enabling us to not become overwhelmed with everything that is swirling around us.   Second, in a Christ honoring way, stand up for what you believe to be right. Speak to those within your sphere of influence.  Share Jesus with that person who is racked with anxiety.  Ask Jesus to help you be the kindest person standing in line at the grocery store or wherever you happen to be.  Ask Him to let His light shine through your words, actions, or perhaps sometimes even more powerfully, your silence.  (I need lots of help with that, Jesus!!)

II Peter 3:15-16 instructs us, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."   Jesus is this world's hope. We are His ambassadors.  By God's grace, through our prayers and our actions, let's choose to be the difference and be the change right where He has placed us!