Three Things I've Learned in This Pandemic

I believe that through challenging times, God teaches us new things about Him and ourselves right where we are. Here are three things I've learned this past week as a result of our current pandemic...

1. ​All we have is today because Jesus already has tomorrow. In a world where we literally do not know what tomorrow will bring, the only time we have is the present moment. Kids are home from school. (Many) Adults are home from work. Jobs are changed or lost. Income changes. Worry sets in. Anxiety swells up. All the "what if's"... I'm reminded of Jesus' words, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.". God is about the present because the future is secure in Jesus' promise, "today, you'll be with me in paradise". Jesus lives in today with us right where we are because He knows He has tomorrow covered.
2. People are people. Last Saturday, I braved the lines at Costco (it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!). For the most part, people were kind and polite. People are people. Everyone has a degree of fear in their hearts. I mean, who wouldn't? Everyone has a degree of uncertainty on their minds. Again, who doesn't? People are people. To be human is to feel and experience. That's how God made us. We are made in the image of God - and God is a God who feels and experiences with us. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us,  that Jesus is our "High Priest" who understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Unless you're Jesus, you will give into your fear and anxiety. People are people... and I am thankful Jesus gives me His grace because I'm just a person like him... a guy in need the same grace right where I am. I need the same grace as the guy who took the last two packages of TP at Costco... right in front of me.
3. In a way, OSLC just planted 750+ churches who love God, love people, and live like Jesus. The church (Jesus' people) has always grown and thrived when it was scattered away from the synagogues, steeples, and cathedrals. We now have neighborhood churches (where two or more are gathered together). From University Place and Enumclaw and from Kent down to Hoquiam... the gospel is planted and the church exists right where you are. Pretty incredible, isn't it? Think about it - 750 homes where God's promises found in His Word can be experienced in real and tangible ways. Online worship right where you are. Community among neighbors and family, right where you are. Simple and natural ways to serve with and among your neighbors, right where you are. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to gather in-person, again. But, in the meantime, it's pretty awesome to see how there is now a church right where you are - on almost every corner and in every neighborhood and community. My prayer is that everyone around each of these homes and families would experience the radical grace and love of Jesus in a fresh, new way through the presence of those who love God, love people, and live like Jesus right where they are.

As challenging as this pandemic is right now, God is still good. God still has this. God still has you. Keep making disciples - connecting, growing, and serving right where you are. It's what the church (you and me) have always done... it's what we always will do.

Love you more than you know. -pt