Corona Devo 47
When in Rome, do as the Romans do...
You've heard that saying.
I had the "relaxing" realization the other day that since our "Rome" (cities/schedules/situations) has changed and drastically been reduced in activity, I need to accept it and start living in accord with it.
I have a piece of me that keeps lamenting the "old" schedule, Pre-Corona, and the public appearances/activities/people of that schedule. And that same piece of me hungrily looks out into the coming weeks and months and salivates at jumping back into all of it.
But, let's face it, we don't know when re-acclimation will occur, so why am I wasting my here-and-now? That's not (ever) what God wants. He always has a plan for us, in every season and transition of our lives. Even if I don't want to willingly accept the current (isolated) reality, it seems foolish to deny it, or buck it because, well--it's here.
There are things to do. The things we never had time to do before. The things we always meant to do.
What are your hobbies?
I have family members doing elaborate puzzles, breaking them back down and sending them back and forth across the country. Time-filling, purposeful (if you like the challenge of a puzzle), and all you shell out is postage.
Go fishing! This age-old pastime is one that the disciples enjoyed, and reeling one in still produces a thrill unlike any other.
In our house we have a 9-year old who is into crafting and repurposing things she finds. She made a (cool!) American flag craft out of trampoline springs, and my husband makes gorgeous yard "flowers" out of antique plates.
Our boys have made some excellent videos of their trick-jumps on scooters and long-ball shots into the basketball hoop.
And yesterday our 3 kids and 6 other neighboring children played hide and seek throughout the neighborhood for over 2 hours. It was old-fashioned fun. Simple. Uncomplicated. Pure.
Maybe that is one of our take-aways from Corona. Slow-down. Quiet down. "...mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you..." ~1 Thessalonians 4:11
I can't think of anything bad that can come of it. But the Bible tells us a couple good things that could: 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1 Thessalonians 4:12
Our joy comes from the Lord (Psalm 28:7). He walks with us during this slower time of our lives. Our lives as Christians should reveal Him to others (whether our pace is fast or slow). Maybe our peace and contentment (and hobbies!) during this Corona season can "win the respect of outsiders".
The last piece of the verse is convicting. I am an extrovert. Being with people lifts my spirits and I am missing those connections during our current time of separation. But even though the Lord loves me (and you!), He also loves me enough to remind me where my true fulfillment and lifting of spirit comes from: Him.
"so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (~1 Thessalonians 4:12) (except the Lord).
And so, it's sort of like receiving permission to chill, which for a Type A personality (like myself) is hard to accept. But when time (virtually) stops, as it has for the past weeks (and for how many more?)… at some point we have to accept the current reality and adjust to it.
When in (the Corona) Rome, do as the (Corona times) Romans do.
...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
sarah
You've heard that saying.
I had the "relaxing" realization the other day that since our "Rome" (cities/schedules/situations) has changed and drastically been reduced in activity, I need to accept it and start living in accord with it.
I have a piece of me that keeps lamenting the "old" schedule, Pre-Corona, and the public appearances/activities/people of that schedule. And that same piece of me hungrily looks out into the coming weeks and months and salivates at jumping back into all of it.
But, let's face it, we don't know when re-acclimation will occur, so why am I wasting my here-and-now? That's not (ever) what God wants. He always has a plan for us, in every season and transition of our lives. Even if I don't want to willingly accept the current (isolated) reality, it seems foolish to deny it, or buck it because, well--it's here.
...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
There are things to do. The things we never had time to do before. The things we always meant to do.
What are your hobbies?
I have family members doing elaborate puzzles, breaking them back down and sending them back and forth across the country. Time-filling, purposeful (if you like the challenge of a puzzle), and all you shell out is postage.
Go fishing! This age-old pastime is one that the disciples enjoyed, and reeling one in still produces a thrill unlike any other.
In our house we have a 9-year old who is into crafting and repurposing things she finds. She made a (cool!) American flag craft out of trampoline springs, and my husband makes gorgeous yard "flowers" out of antique plates.
Our boys have made some excellent videos of their trick-jumps on scooters and long-ball shots into the basketball hoop.
And yesterday our 3 kids and 6 other neighboring children played hide and seek throughout the neighborhood for over 2 hours. It was old-fashioned fun. Simple. Uncomplicated. Pure.
Maybe that is one of our take-aways from Corona. Slow-down. Quiet down. "...mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you..." ~1 Thessalonians 4:11
I can't think of anything bad that can come of it. But the Bible tells us a couple good things that could: 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1 Thessalonians 4:12
Our joy comes from the Lord (Psalm 28:7). He walks with us during this slower time of our lives. Our lives as Christians should reveal Him to others (whether our pace is fast or slow). Maybe our peace and contentment (and hobbies!) during this Corona season can "win the respect of outsiders".
The last piece of the verse is convicting. I am an extrovert. Being with people lifts my spirits and I am missing those connections during our current time of separation. But even though the Lord loves me (and you!), He also loves me enough to remind me where my true fulfillment and lifting of spirit comes from: Him.
"so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (~1 Thessalonians 4:12) (except the Lord).
And so, it's sort of like receiving permission to chill, which for a Type A personality (like myself) is hard to accept. But when time (virtually) stops, as it has for the past weeks (and for how many more?)… at some point we have to accept the current reality and adjust to it.
When in (the Corona) Rome, do as the (Corona times) Romans do.
...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Find your happy place (in your house), or in your hobby or in your heart and run with it!
God's Biblical advice is always sound, and He knows that there is a contentment that comes in quieting (ourselves and our spirits) down.
sarah
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