Corona Devo 106

Mentally, I have been trying to prep (and guard) myself for the re-entry into tasks, schedules, appointments and obligations.  I will be honest: the Corona shut-down showed me the blessing of slowing-down, and I have been on my guard to avoid getting too busy.

But sometimes we get caught up worrying about assumed problems, and we forget to anticipate blessings that can occur within the same process.  

Re-entry into practices, people, driving, etc. was not something I was looking forward to.  I liked the peace of being at home with the family, suppers together, and I didn't miss the rush-rush that used to fill our daily schedules.

But I had missed something else, and I didn't notice how much I missed it, until I got a fresh (Post-Corona shut-down) taste yesterday: Community.  Friends.  Sisters-in-Christ.  Friends-of-the-heart.  Compadres.  

The Lord knows us very well.  He knows what we don't want, but He also knows what we do want.  What we need.  Women (more than men, in my opinion) need community.  There is something reassuring, relaxing, and even empowering in realizing that we are not alone in our faith-journeys here on Earth as mom's, wives and daughters-of-the-King. We are all doing the best we can to do the best we can.  

The world and the media portray perfect women with unattainable and unrealistic bodies/families/jobs/ accomplishments, but when we get together with real people and can be humble and authentic and share our lives/struggles/triumphs--it provides a strength and community which has few parallels.  I believe God designed us to enjoy each other and to benefit from community with one another.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~Hebrews 10:24-25.  

Those that are "Spurring one another on toward love and good deeds" are exactly the kind of friends that I want to be with.  If we can find a handful of others that are seeking to serve Christ with themselves and their lives, they are a treasure.  The "world" gives self-focused advice, but Christ-seekers spur us on in God's ways.    

Christ calls us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), and it feels good to be with others who are in pursuit of Christ with you.  We spur each other on.  

And sometimes spurring each other on means holding each other accountable toward love and good deeds.  There are times and situations when we don't want to live in love, or do good deeds.  We may have been hurt by someone or we might just be exhausted.  But when we are in community with believers, they hold us accountable, not in judgement, but in love--God's love.  It is sometimes hard to do the right thing, and we all get off-track sometimes, but true-friends help to bring us back to the main road of serving God.  

...not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another  ~Hebrews 10:25.   We HAD to give up meeting together for a period of time.  Corona hit our world like a ton of bricks that were mortared together blocking our front doors.  And there are times when we have no choice but to be separate.  But when possible and in healthy situations: these verses confirm God's plan of believers meeting together to learn and grow from each other, and to encourage each other.  

...and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~Hebrews 10:25.   

"All the more"... It rejuvenates our hearts and spirits to have community with friends and believers and hopefully it builds us up in our faith and as Jesus-followers--so why wouldn't we connect with others "all the more"?  

And let's face it, we aren't getting any younger.  I am not sure if "as you see the Day approaching" is referencing Jesus coming back or me taking my last breath, but...does it matter?  Either way, "the Day (is) approaching", and we only have so many days left here to live our lives for Christ.  Why wouldn't we live in community with others for Christ?  Why shouldn't we meet with others to encourage and be encouraged?

Have you had a chance to connect with any friends?  The Lord is the only One who fills our hearts and lives with true purpose (Him!), but he often allows a few special people to cross our paths for us to build into and that build into us.  Friends are a hand-picked gift that God gives to our hearts.  

Today is the day to reach out to someone you have been missing.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds... (Hebrews 10:24).

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/