As you may know, David and I are blessed to have the luxury of working from home, even prior to this covid-19 crisis. We have however taken this opportunity, much like many of you, to spend more time together as a family. One of the things we have started doing is more family movie nights with Isaac. Thus far we have watched, Frozen II, Spies, A Dog’s Purpose and last night we watched Heaven Is For Real (on Netflix right now).
One of the things I love most about this movie is watching the very real, and painful crisis of faith the father (a pastor) goes through as he wrestles with the miraculous possibility that his son visited heaven during a life and death struggle with a ruptured appendix. His journey is something that I think we can all relate to. “Do we really believe in God when we are confronted with a truth or reality that makes us uncomfortable?”
I’ve had several discussions with a good friend about their biggest obstacle to being a believer; that people will think that they are dumb, or ignorant for believing in God. We live in a world that has convinced us that it is okay to believe in a higher power. But, if you ever dare to suggest that there is a very real God that wants an intimate relationship with his creation…and people look at you like you’re a few cards short of a deck. That was in fact a sentiment expressed in the movie “The Bible says ‘believe his children’. What my child’s telling me (that heaven is real) will get me laughed out of town.”
The fear of being considered a fool for believing in God was something I struggled with myself early on in my faith journey, (if you look back I posted an earlier blog about it). But I want you to know that God isn’t a myth! He loves each and every one of us. During these troubled times, where it seems as if every day we are confronted with increasingly frightening statistics, I ask you to consider stepping outside your comfort zone. I ask you to consider the idea that there is indeed a Sovereign Lord in control of this universe. I ask you to stop being afraid of what people might think of you, or your intelligence and consider allowing Him to be a part of your life. God walks with me and beside me every single day of my life. When I turn to Him in times of turmoil and conflict He always answers me. He ALWAYS answers me. I ask you to consider that even through you might not be ready for a relationship with Him right now, He’ll be ready and waiting whenever you are.
God bless and keep each and everyone of you. And let us all pray for those on the front lines of this crisis, doctors, nurses, essential store employees who risk their lives everyday so that we can buy groceries and necessary supplies. We are all in this together, and together we are all held in God’s hand.
Meredith
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