Trusting in King Jesus and His Plan During Self Isolation
Let us never forget that we are in a spiritual war.
As Christians, we know to give our fears to God, to ask him to strengthen us, to rest and follow him, but sometimes we need to do more than stay in a resting position. Today God reminded me to fight.
*For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
*Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
In this current season, the enemy semi-regularly tries to convince me that I’m lonely. Sometimes I don’t think even think I am lonely but all of a sudden my emotions get twisted. Last year, this happened over mid autumn festival (kind of like the equivalent of US Thanksgiving where everyone gets together with family). I was in Jakarta on a business trip and after a day of meetings, got back to my room and was just SO overcome with loneliness. But then… I realised I didn’t have to see the situation that way. Actually God had given me a free staycation of sorts. I had a comfy hotel room, could order room service, take a bath, etc. And maybe for the first time in my life fought the feelings, declared God’s goodness, and moved out of self pity into thankfulness. Tonight it happened again.
After work, I took a nap and then woke up feeling really heavy. Hong Kong is in a different stage with the coronavirus with new cases flattening, though now there’s concerns of a ‘second wave’ with people returning from overseas. But many companies are still requiring staff to go into the office, most businesses are open, the shelves are overflowing with toilet paper and sanitiser, and this week a new campaign, supported by the major lifestyle media outlets, was launched to encourage those healthy and able (i.e. haven’t travelled, been sick or around people who have travelled or are sick) to support restaurants, many of whom are offering special prices / menus to try and survive. (Note: there isn’t really a gift card culture here and not every restaurant offers delivery, and so many service jobs / jobs in general are at stake after being hit with both the protests and the coronavirus.) I write for one of these outlets and attended a media lunch today. My temperature was checked upon entry, the tables were spaced out, I think it’s important to support our city where we can. But still, I wondered … God am I doing the right thing?
When jobs are at stake, health is at risk, when we’re isolated … if we’re not feeding ourselves with God’s truth we more easily fall for the enemy’s tricks. The heaviness tonight had me down for a little while. I didn’t want to get out of bed, then I read the news for half an hour … just not being able to get up. But something in me knew I needed to MOVE. To drink some water. To play a worship song. To sing, declare, the name of Jesus out loud. To pray in tongues. We can know that we’re not to be anxious and God will take care of everything but still … I think we need to do things to strengthen our spirits and roar with God-infused confidence. Praying (in tongues or otherwise) and declaring the name of Jesus (just his name, through worship songs and / or Bible verses) are great things we can do anytime, anywhere.
As I was listening to a worship song, praying in tongues, feeling more and more strengthened, and enjoying God’s presence, I felt him ask me “Who am I to you?” I started listing things that came to mind, my God, my best friend … and felt him say “I want to be your everything. I go before you. I am making a way. I am for you.”
Let us hold tightly to this truth:
*that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Philippians 2:10)
*There is no other name but the name that is Jesus / He who was and still is, and will be through it all (Another in the Fire - Hillsong UNITED)
Jesus is way greater than anything the enemy tries to throw our way. Jesus cares for our well being. Jesus will provide. Jesus has a plan. Jesus will come back and reign again. JESUS.
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