Later I had the scripture whilst gardening, trying to settle myself in the Lord:
Be of good cheer I have overcome the world.
I couldn’t recall where it was from but it was great to have that to keep coming back to all morning and throughout the day.
I did a quick search and was gladdened to see that the word for cheer in some translations is also courage.
I love what one of my favourite website says:
‘…state or frame of mind…heart innermost feelings…’
Etymonline.com
Jesus is saying again to me, to us, to be courageous. To dig deep. Not to be afraid. The verse I recalled by the Spirit includes reference to where the disciples are scattered when Jesus goes to be with his Father. In this situation which we face with the coronavirus it was very poignant that they each went to their own homes! See John 16.32,33
I was considering how Jesus says to them about himself being the overcomer of the world which to me is such a loaded statement.
Recently I felt the Lord say to me using scripture again:
Do not love the world or the things of the world…
Then there’s also a link to the previous post which I only understood later. I wrote about Romans 12 not being comformed to this world. More often the translation is age which doesn’t seem to fit with not loving the world. Yet I discover that the Greek word for age αἰών is from a root meaning life, especially long life, old age.
That brings me back to what I wrote previously about what Jesus said being the life of the world. With death facing us at the moment with this pandemic this is hope indeed.
Somehow I began to think about my brothers and sisters in Ghana. (For those who don’t know I lived there for two years. My culture was challenged). How are they faring at this time? I recall their poverty and remembered that we are a lot better off than they are.
Maybe this time is a reminder to us of the fact that we have so much in this world. That made me think of my dream again. The man sitting surrounded by Mars bars had so much yet he only gave a little of what he had and what he had was not particularly healthy so we need to watch even what we give. Is it from our little or our much? Is what we have lasting? Is it worthwhile? Does it have eternal rewarding consequences? Are we laying up treasure in heaven?
The words of the Lord’s prayer give us this day our daily bread are very pertinent here. When Jesus said that about daily bread it would have reminded the disciples of the children of Israel in the desert. Yahweh provided for them with manna and quails. Both of which are his provision. Jesus in the prayer is talking of providing for us, in the prayer both materially and spiritually but only that which we need for that day. Yet even in that he gives abundantly so that we are able to give away to others in need.
I write this as I am challenged what should I do Lord with what I have? This is a question we all must ask at this time.