July 2020
The other day I was doing my morning workout which involves a little run around the block. In the past, I REALLY ran – marathons, races, and anything that had a start and a finish. But not anymore. I just simply run around the block and I am pretty sure that the grandkids could walk it faster than I run. But, shh! I don’t want to embarrass myself.
Anyway, as I was running, this dog came flying out of his house, along with grandma, dad, kids, and suitcases. And this dog did what dogs are supposed to do – protect their family. Unfortunately, the way this dog chose to protect its family was not a good thing for me. It jumped up on me, its paw-nails grabbed shirt and skin and the dog’s teeth wanted to bite but my ribs got in the way. OUCH!
I now have a holey shirt, a nice bruise, and some missing skin. I am okay – just in case you are wondering.
I tell you this because I think, in the last few months, we have all gone a little stir crazy and are maybe acting out a bit just like my new dog friend. You see, we were meant to be in community. God made us for each other – to love, to care and to be part of each other’s lives. But “safer at home” restrictions have us apart from each other, and unemployment and the woes of the economy have us wondering how we will continue to provide for our families. And then there is the news, the protests, the politicians, the health experts, and so much more pressing in on us, without a way to let it out or let it go. There are so many unanswered questions right now.
We are unmoored.
Stress levels are high, and concerns are deep.
Tom’s video this month is all about stress. It is from Grand Canyon University (GCU) chapel in 2015. I still remember how much Tom enjoyed seeing the GCU college students and their love for Jesus. He had such fun that day. This video lesson is quintessential Tom. I hope you enjoy it!
Getting back to Fido, Fido knew his job – to protect. Fido had purpose, and he did what he knew to do. How about us? What is our purpose as children of God? Well, first and foremost, we are to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind” and to “Love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matt 22:37-39). We are called to live in community, in unity, with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When God is in the center of our lives, when we allow Him to reign and rule as King over us all, then we are safe in Him. If every day we seek Him and remain close to Him in prayer, spending time with Him in Scripture, we can rest, regardless of what is happening around us.
Amen.
I need rest, how about you?
When I walk with Him, I feel so much better. I have peace, comfort and even joy - which is not so easy to find in our world today. Will you join me? Will you put down your phones, your screens, your signs, your worries, your anger - just for a few minutes - and sit with Him, asking Him to show you His plan, His purpose and His love for you? He will. He is right there with you today and always.
For more of Tom – please click into his library at https://www.prioritylivingaz.org/
And, lastly, when you do pick up your phone, would you reach out to someone and share some love?