Corona Devo 45
Quarantining. Separating. Sanitizing. Cleaning. Purifying.
These words have reshaped our lives in the past weeks because of the Coronavirus. We have spent time and energy and money stocking up on sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, gloves and masks--to keep our skin and breathable air "clean".
We have taken great efforts to stay separate from others. Businesses, schools, churches and sporting events are no longer functioning in group (physical) environments, but instead are now existing through remote efforts of screen time and streaming over devices.
Whether by germs on shopping carts or standing too close to someone: we do not want to become contaminated by the Coronavirus.
Quarantining, Separating, Sanitizing, Cleaning, Purifying: Living wisely right now during Covid 19 is important.
But as we become preoccupied with putting on masks and covering over our hands and faces, God's word urges us to also cover our eyes-to protect against sinful sites and scenes. To cover our ears-to prevent the world's ways, justifications and vulgarities from penetrating our ears into our mind. And let's put a mask over our hearts, so that we do not become cynical, hopeless, despairing and unloving.
For
we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will
live with them and walk among them, and I will be their
God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore,
“Come out from them and be separate, says the
Lord. Touch no unclean
thing, and I will receive you.”
18 And, “I will be a
Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the
Lord Almighty.” Therefore,
since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves
from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out
of reverence for God. ~2 Corinthians
6:16-18 and 2 Corinthians 7:1
In these verses, the Lord reminds us that as His children, we are special. Our bodies and minds are the temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:16).
And God is with us. During these Corona times of unknown. As the money gets tight. As the walls in our homes seem to close in on us. As small talk dries up because there is nothing more to say... Don't give up. He is here in these situations, these hours, these minutes--with us. “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:16)
And just as we have learned (lately) to take precautions against germs and other people/events that could constitute risks for us: in the same way, the Lord counsels us to take precautions from anything that draws us away from Him and His will for us. 17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) This may include people/conversations that draw us into ungodly behavior or thoughts, this may include activities and websites, this may include cleansing our mind and thoughts: and in exchange--filling ourselves with God's ways, His will for us today, His purposes. God boldly presses us to "Come out from them and be separate".
He gives us His rules for our best lives today, and He then backs it up with His love: 18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
The truth is, there is not much more that I could ask for, besides what this verse promises. With God as my (our) Heavenly Father: He knows our needs, and He will provide: whether that is physical or emotional provision. A good father gives security and love and The Lord promises both of these for us as His children/followers. A good father loves His children, and delights in caring for them. God has us in the palm of His hand--why wouldn't I trust Him and follow His direction?
It is right for us to proactively purify ourselves from the Coronavirus with proper quarantining, separating, sanitizing, and cleaning.
But I love the correlation of doing the same things with our hearts and minds and lives as we seek to live for Christ during the Covid 19 season of our lives and always: Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. ~2 Corinthians 7:1
Isn't God's word relevant? Applicable to our lives? Awesome?
Let's go forward today seeking to separate ourselves from the ways of the world and making an effort to unite ourselves with God's ways. For we are the temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:16)
Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/
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