May 15, 2020
Good morning,
The church has hit a sizeable bump in the road. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think, operate, gather, fellowship, evangelize, tithe, pray, worship and trust the Lord. In addition, these changes may be in place for some time.
Truth is; the church may need a change. After all, the psalmist said, "Those who have no changes don't fear God."
This isn't the first time the people of God have had their lives turned upside down by unseen and unimaginable surprises. Scripture is filled with the dawning of new days—both good and bad. And, through it all, God had the uncanny ability of getting glory, even though the people involved didn't always see it.
Sadly, the household of God can become stagnant at times and in need of a change. That was John's message to the brackish Laodicea church—they had become successful in the world, but stagnant in their faith. A stale church is distasteful to God.
If we as pastors aren't careful, the work of God can become business as usual, another day at the office, a nine-to-five job. And when indifference hits us, it will permeate our people.
When God jars us loose from the status quo, He always operates outside our boundaries. He thinks thoughts that are not our thoughts. He uses counter-intuitive measures to perform His work.
God instructed Moses to point his long, boney finger in Pharaoh's face and demand that he set God's people free. Then the Lord upset the apple cart: "But I'll harden Pharaoh's heart so that he won't let the people go."
God is not in the business of conforming to our pre-conceived ideas, but He is in the business of helping us conform to His.
God promised Abram and Sarai a son. That seemed simple enough. Yet twenty-five years later, the couple was still childless. Finally, on Abe's 99th birthday God reminded them of His promise. They laughed! In their minds, the expiration date expired long ago. The Lord's response was quick and simple, "Is anything too difficult for Me?"
Jeremiah had preached his heart out, and paid dearly for it. Jerusalem was on the verge of devastation by the dreaded Babylonians. Defeat was a certainty. Returning to Zion was hopeless—even to Jeremiah. However, God reminded him, "I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
Zechariah was shown previews of coming attractions—a national revival, happy families living in a land of tranquility. However, with 70 years of captivity still ringing in his mind, and Jerusalem still in ruins, Zechariah could not reconcile such events. He wondered, "Is this even possible?" God replied, "Just because it seems too difficult for you, doesn't mean it's too hard for Me."
Mary could not make sense of the angel's announcement. "How can I give birth to the Savior of the world? I'm a virgin!" It was beyond impossible; it was absurd. The angel calmly responded, "Nothing is impossible with God."
Now, suddenly, our COVID-19 church stories seem to dovetail with these biblical accounts. No one warned us about the coronavirus. It wasn't on the calendar. Our seminary curriculum didn't include Pandemic Theology 101. This isn't how church is supposed to be! Our situation is impossible!
That's when our God is at His best. He is without limits or boundaries. No challenge is too great, no question too difficult. Nothing stands in His way. He specializes in unraveling the impossible. In addition, He loves His church with a passion.
The world is ripe for Him. This is His hour. And we have a new opportunity to watch God do what only He can do—to make a way where there is no way.
Change may be scary, but "is anything too difficult for Me?"
Blessings, and stay safe,
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