By Ruth Eugene
Life has changed considerably for all of us over the past 14 months! Things that we took for granted are no longer so readily or easily available. Sadly, a few people whom we knew, are no longer with us. Yes! our lives have invariably changed. Now, as we prepare for the next stage in the UK of the lifting of restrictions, and probably the most significant release yet, let’s briefly look at 4 areas of life that would have changed:
Our Hearts
During this pandemic, we’ve had the chance and opportunity to see and examine our hearts. What’s within us, what’s guiding us, and what’s driving us. Be assured, God has not left us. We need to be sure that, what is in our hearts, is of faith and not fear; is of peace and not distress; is of love and compassion, not hate and anger - we need to guard our hearts. For how we leave this next phase, will determine how we enter the next - Proverbs 4v23 & 23v7. Guard your heart, for what you think can, and will determine how you act. You may not even know or realise the changes that have come about within you, the thoughts and feelings you now hold. As we look towards being able to feel more free in our lives, let us take care to guard our hearts, which is our “Spirit”, so that it can positively affect our mind, the “Soul” where in turn we can confidently trust God with our life, the “Body” without fear.
Relationships
How you think, will influence how you act and interact with others. Relationships have been extremely vital for us during these challenging times. Having positive, fruitful relationships has enabled us to navigate this pandemic and lockdown. Likewise, our building a fruitful relationship with the Lord is also important. Being prepared for the changes that will come because of this pandemic is necessary and important. Our families, friends and colleagues may not be the same, and as such our relationships may not be the same, and we too may not be the same! But by taking the time and opportunity to continue to build on the bond and relationship we have with the Lord, we will be able to go out and continue and develop fruitful relationships, and influence those we may meet in our sphere of life.
Our Future
Looking forward to the future, when we will be able to move without restrictions, worship without masks! Life will not be as it was pre-Covid. The virus made sure of that! Covid-19, sadly and unfortunately, looks like its here to stay, but so too is the Lord! We have the assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us, so we can look to Him and trust Him. Our lives are in His hands and He holds our future. Jeremiah 29v11: God gives us a future! So we need to begin to prepare and plan a future, where we have the confidence to know that, not only did He bring you through this lockdown, but He has brought you to a hope and a future, a time of rejoicing. This World is not our home, so we look to the future knowing that all that is happening right now, is temporary...the Lord is about to breakthrough!
Our Breakthrough
So we’ve worked on our heart. We have secured strong relationships with God and others and committed our future...so what happens next? Well, to God be the Glory, we receive the breakthrough! God has had a plan for this earth from it’s creation. Knowing that, gives you and I the confidence to know that, whatever we may have experienced, or whatever we may be going through, God will bring a breakthrough. As the well quoted saying goes, “He has not brought you to… to not bring you through!" He is the God of the “second chance in the circumstance”. We’ve spent many months wondering when this will be all over. The media and government says, not much longer now...very soon...be patient..hold on just a little longer. Follow our directions, and it will all be over and end soon. Interesting that!... Sound familiar? Can we not hear the Lord say the same? Not much longer now...be patient..follow my Word and my direction and soon we’ll be out of this World. So prepare..get ready..Jesus is coming...breakthrough is on it’s way!
Life has changed considerably for all of us over the past 14 months! Things that we took for granted are no longer so readily or easily available. Sadly, a few people whom we knew, are no longer with us. Yes! our lives have invariably changed. Now, as we prepare for the next stage in the UK of the lifting of restrictions, and probably the most significant release yet, let’s briefly look at 4 areas of life that would have changed:
Our Hearts
During this pandemic, we’ve had the chance and opportunity to see and examine our hearts. What’s within us, what’s guiding us, and what’s driving us. Be assured, God has not left us. We need to be sure that, what is in our hearts, is of faith and not fear; is of peace and not distress; is of love and compassion, not hate and anger - we need to guard our hearts. For how we leave this next phase, will determine how we enter the next - Proverbs 4v23 & 23v7. Guard your heart, for what you think can, and will determine how you act. You may not even know or realise the changes that have come about within you, the thoughts and feelings you now hold. As we look towards being able to feel more free in our lives, let us take care to guard our hearts, which is our “Spirit”, so that it can positively affect our mind, the “Soul” where in turn we can confidently trust God with our life, the “Body” without fear.
Relationships
How you think, will influence how you act and interact with others. Relationships have been extremely vital for us during these challenging times. Having positive, fruitful relationships has enabled us to navigate this pandemic and lockdown. Likewise, our building a fruitful relationship with the Lord is also important. Being prepared for the changes that will come because of this pandemic is necessary and important. Our families, friends and colleagues may not be the same, and as such our relationships may not be the same, and we too may not be the same! But by taking the time and opportunity to continue to build on the bond and relationship we have with the Lord, we will be able to go out and continue and develop fruitful relationships, and influence those we may meet in our sphere of life.
Our Future
Looking forward to the future, when we will be able to move without restrictions, worship without masks! Life will not be as it was pre-Covid. The virus made sure of that! Covid-19, sadly and unfortunately, looks like its here to stay, but so too is the Lord! We have the assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us, so we can look to Him and trust Him. Our lives are in His hands and He holds our future. Jeremiah 29v11: God gives us a future! So we need to begin to prepare and plan a future, where we have the confidence to know that, not only did He bring you through this lockdown, but He has brought you to a hope and a future, a time of rejoicing. This World is not our home, so we look to the future knowing that all that is happening right now, is temporary...the Lord is about to breakthrough!
Our Breakthrough
So we’ve worked on our heart. We have secured strong relationships with God and others and committed our future...so what happens next? Well, to God be the Glory, we receive the breakthrough! God has had a plan for this earth from it’s creation. Knowing that, gives you and I the confidence to know that, whatever we may have experienced, or whatever we may be going through, God will bring a breakthrough. As the well quoted saying goes, “He has not brought you to… to not bring you through!" He is the God of the “second chance in the circumstance”. We’ve spent many months wondering when this will be all over. The media and government says, not much longer now...very soon...be patient..hold on just a little longer. Follow our directions, and it will all be over and end soon. Interesting that!... Sound familiar? Can we not hear the Lord say the same? Not much longer now...be patient..follow my Word and my direction and soon we’ll be out of this World. So prepare..get ready..Jesus is coming...breakthrough is on it’s way!
