We’re week, I don’t know, in this seemingly never-ending shutdown. I’m of the camp that we need to open up already. My family often seems to be getting on each other’s nerves. It’s a good thing we all have our own rooms to go to to get away from each other. I’ve found solace in walking around a nearby lake at 5:30 in the morning. There’s usually only one other person around so it’s nice and quiet except for the birds. I can hear all kinds of birds tweeting all around me while I walk. Some sound like they are singing. Some sound like they are telling another bird off, but in a sweet birdy kind of way.

The walk helps me gather my thoughts. It’s invigorating. As I walk, I see the lake. Sometimes large fish swim up to the surface and make a splash. Ducks are taking off and landing like a small airport. I saw a whole family of ducks (about 7 babies) today. It is so peaceful. Everytime I walk and see God’s handiwork all around me, my thoughts turn to Him.

There’s a verse in the Bible that tells us God is not the author of chaos. That verse has helped me so often in my life. When chaos does enter my life, I have to remind myself of that verse. God is not the author of chaos. So, then, who is? Well, we know who it is. The enemy is the author of chaos.

But let’s get back to God. When I see the ducks landing and taking off at the lake, they amuse me. They make that loud quacking sound. They’re not sophisticated in the least. Watching them, you realize God has a sense of humor.

Canadian geese hang out by the lake. They’re funny too. There’s a huge grass field right next to the neighborhood where I park my car. The geese all call to each other at the same time each day. I don’t understand geese, but they must be telling each other it’s time to hit the smorgasbord of the green grassy field because all the geese began either flying in or waddling towards the field. And the funny part of them waddling is that they do it in a line, one in front of the other. There’s no chaos on their part. They walk evenly spaced apart and in a straight line, honking at one another. It’s really funny to watch.

When I take all these things in I see God’s fingerprints all over the place. Watching nature, you see God’s nature. Everything created with intricate details for each species. And when I turn inwards and see my own life I also see God’s handiwork. He brings me joy in the seemingly little things. He brings amusement, when I see ducks. I laugh at the loud geese honking at each other and waddling in a straight line. I feel the fresh air filling my lungs. God is here. God is with us. He is not the author of chaos. God is with us now. Lean in on Him and He will bring you comfort.

In 1871, a man named Horatio Spafford lost his four year old son. In that same year, Horatio lost much of his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire. Two years later, he planned on taking a trip to Europe. Some business delayed him, so he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. Their ship collided with another ship and all four daughters drowned. His wife survived and sent him this famous telegram, “Saved alone…”

After all this, Horatio sat down and penned this famous hymn:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know^a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!^b

Life as we know it is so frustrating right now. I go from anger to frustration, and back to anger. I hate all of this shutdown. But when I turn my eyes upwards, God gives me peace. I hope you can look to God and find peace for your soul too.

This shut down is making me angry. I don’t like my rights taken away. I don’t like being told to wear a mask and social distance. I have never had a flu shot and I have never had the flu. I can take care of myself. I wash my hands whenever I come home from any place. After working out at the gym, I go straight to the locker room and wash my hands for thirty seconds. This is because I’m a grown woman.

In my anger, I have had to remind myself of God. God knows all about the shutdown. He knows. He knew it was coming and He knows how long it will last. This thought helps me.

I think of the van I wanted seventeen years ago. I wanted a mini van for our growing family, but we couldn’t afford it. I began to pray for a mini van. That was the only way I could get one. Two months after I began my prayer for a mini van, our “good” car got stolen. I say “good” car, because it was newer than our other car. But it was a lemon.

After our car got stolen, we were down to one old car. That car was fourteen years old. None of this made sense. I wanted a mini van. I prayed for a mini van. And now our “good” car was stolen. I was so confused.

God works out all things for those who love Him. Two months after our car got stolen, we had a brand new mini van. We were able to make a down payment with the money we got from our insurance company for the stolen car. When the car got stolen, it was only a few days before my hubby was off of work for the summer. So, even though we were down to one car, we only needed one car at that time. And even though it was our old car, it still ran beautifully.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

This shutdown may feel like it’s going to last forever, but it’s not. You may feel like me and really angry at times about this whole thing. But God works things out for those who love Him. We may not see it now, but we will later. It may not make sense now, but it will later. There’s a really good song by Josh Garrels called, “Farther Along.” There’s a line in there that says, “Farther along we’ll know all about it, farther along we’ll understand why.”

Right now thousands of people are accepting the Lord as their Savior. People are scared, so they’re turning to our church online, in the millions. That is a huge bright spot. Other good things will come out at the end of this.

It doesn’t make sense now, but “farther along,” we’ll know all about it. For the believer, you will see it. You will see good out of the bad.

Click on this link to hear the song. It’s very encouraging. https://youtu.be/IctD9l4F-ag

While we were yet sinners.

Jesus went with the Roman soldiers when Judas had betrayed Him.

While we were yet sinners.

They tried Jesus Christ and accused Him falsely.

While we were yet sinners.

They whipped Jesus. The leather whips ripped open His back.

While we were yet sinners.

They placed a robe over his shredded back.

While we were yet sinners.

They placed the huge wooden cross upon His back.

While we were yet sinners.

He dropped the cross. He couldn’t carry it.

While we were yet sinners.

A man in the crowd was ordered to pick up His cross.

While we were yet sinners.

They nailed His feet and hands to the cross.

While we were yet sinners.

He cried out in agony.

While we were yet sinners.

He died on the cross.

While we were yet sinners.

They pierced His side.

While we were yet sinners.

Three days later, He rose from the dead.

While we were yet sinners.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We’re going on week two of a government shut down. We’ve been mandated to our homes. The time is long and often boring. I text my friends and actually long to go to the grocery store. Something I usually hate doing. Crazy times.

I know some of us are scared. I was scared at first. The shutdown felt so foreign. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced in my life time. Strange times.

Was God caught by surprise when this happened? Nope.

Has God turned a blind eye to us? Nope.

Is this virus out of God’s control? Nope.

Does God hate us? Nope.

God has said in His Word, “Never will I leave you or forsake you.” That’s a promise. However, that’s only a promise to His children. Only to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Once you are a child of God, those promises apply to you.

Will this thing ever end? Yes

Will prayer help? Most definitely.

Will God hear our prayers? Always.

Does God care what happens to us? Very definitely.

God loves all mankind. He knows exactly what we are going through. He knew this was going to happen. He knows when it will end. He knows how many lives it will take. Is God a monster who lives in the sky, laughing at our suffering? No He is not!

However, our country has turned their back on God. His name is used as a cuss word. His name is blasphemed. He is blamed for every wrong that happens in this country. America has been blessed since her very beginning, yet we blame God for every ill that happens.

This shut down will end. Maybe sooner than later. We will get back to our normal lives. But what will you do with God? Do you know God? It’s not anything you can do. Your righteousness is as filthy rags. It’s not a church you can go to. It’s not a religion you follow. It’s not a list of rules you follow. To become a child of God, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Jesus paid the price. Jesus paid it all. You can’t bring anything to Him. To become a child of God you must accept Him. He paid the price. His sacrifice on the cross was the payment for your and my sins. Accept Him.

When we all go back to normal, don’t forget God. Ask yourself if you know Him. If you don’t, accept Him. Someday it may be too late.