Jesus is still here

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I have caught myself recently saying “What a time to be alive.”

And the more I think about it, the more I realize yes, what a time to be alive when the Lord is slowing down his kingdom, renewing, refreshing, refilling, pouring out his spirit, love, faithfulness, peace, joy, grace on his people. This will be a monumental time in our history. But not only history, but in the kingdom of heaven, too.

When the children of Israel were stuck in the wilderness, the Lord gave them fresh manna every day. He provided exactly what they needed for that day.

Exodus 16:4 says, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day, the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’”

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

It is our choice to rejoice and be glad in it, a decision that we have to make daily. He lets us rejoice. He doesn’t need us to rejoice, but yet he invites us to rejoice because he knows the hope, joy, peace and freedom that it gives. It is a beautiful privilege to rejoice in the Lord. Let’s be people who rejoice even if.

Even if I lost my job, I will rejoice. Even if I don’t know how I’m going to provide for my family, I will rejoice. Even if my heart is hurting, I will rejoice. Even if I am fearful, I will rejoice.

There is enough manna for this day.

The Lord provides exactly what we need for this day. He provided for them enough manna for that day. He will provide enough peace, patience, love, joy, grace and kindness for this day.

I was watching a preview for a movie recently, and in the preview, they used the phrase, “You show up for the ones that you love.” That immediately caught my attention. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves his people. Jesus loves you. That means he will show up for his people during this time.

Romans 15:13 says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the holy spirit.”

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as we trust in him. We have to be intentional in trusting God. We have to create space in the things that are taking a place in our lives where they do not belong and trust that he is going to fill us with all joy and peace. Let’s get rid of all of the stuff that keeps us from spending time with the Lord.

Let’s be a beacon of hope. God does not only provide enough hope for us, but he provides enough for us to be an overflow of hope to those around us. Our hope and joy aren’t in the things that we do, our jobs, money, health, politicians, sports, events and the things that fill up our daily lives. Our hope is in Jesus and him alone. Impart hope wherever you go. Be a nonanxious presence wherever you are.

It is well with our soul. How do we know this is going to be OK? Because in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of our circumstances that aren’t OK right now, it is well only because of Jesus.

Let me start by saying that the feelings of confusion, sadness, hurt, loss, fear and uncertainty you may feel are valid. They are real, and they are raw.

But don’t stay there. The Lord allows us to feel things, but he doesn’t allow us to stay there.

What is our job as Christians? It is not only what we are called to do, but it is our privilege to come alongside those who are experiencing pain, hurt, suffering and loss from COVID-19.

In a world that is very uncertain right now, let’s let our love for one another be certain. Let’s let the hope of Jesus overflow from us. Let’s let the Lord work in our hearts, our homes, our families, our lives. Let’s dive deep into what he has for us during this time of slowing down. Be ready to receive all that he is pouring out.

We will be amiss if we let this moment in history pass by without deepening our faith instead of giving into fear. We must stop trying to get out of this moment and use this moment.

There are a lot of the unknowns right now, and I can believe that won’t change very quickly. One thing I have learned over the last few years is that we have to step deep into the unknowns expectant of growth, expectant of new things, eyes open to what God is trying to do in us, hearts open to who he is during this time and ears open to the ways he is speaking to us during this time.

Dawson Bailey said in a recent post on Facebook, “Seek him. Seek him until you find him. And when you find him, keep going. There is more.”

What is he calling me to do during this time? How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus? How can I be the church for my family, my friends and my community during this time?

Friends, the church has left the building. I believe that. I have always said and faithfully taught the youth that I minister to that the church is not a building. It is time to put that into practice.

The mission that God has given the church in this world matters, and it holds power. As the church, we must react in a way that will impact the way this generation sees God.

A World Racer named Megan Krivsky posted a blog called, “COVID-19 Can’t Kill the Kingdom.” In it, she said, “Maybe the coronavirus can cause organizations, businesses, schools, etc. to shut down, but nothing can cause the kingdom to shut down. As followers of Jesus, our purpose stands even if the structure of the world doesn’t.”

I will end by sharing a song that has touched my heart recently.

Elevation Worship just released a song called “The Blessing,” and it could not be more anointed for this time.

Straight from Scripture, it says, “May his favor be upon you and a thousand generations. And your family and your children and their children and their children. May his presence go before you and behind you and beside you, all around you and within you. He is with you. He is with you.”

It’s a promise. Our God is faithful, and he is a promise keeper.

It has been laid on my heart to serve the community in any way that I can and that the Lord leads. If you or someone you know needs anything during this time, please visit my blog, keiablairmissions.wordpress.com, and connect with me through the BeTheHands tab. I will be in contact with you soon.

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you.

Keia Blair is a Seymour native who will do missions in the Dominican Republic later this year. Send comments to [email protected].

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