How To Contend For Our Destiny In A Time Of Turmoil
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Photo by Chandana Ban on Unsplash
Yesterday was spring equinox—one of only two days of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun. Because of the Earth’s unique position on the equinox, the length of day and night are nearly equal worldwide. So whether you’re in Alaska or Antarctica, Germany or Jamaica, we all experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, like I do, as we move beyond equinox our daylight hours continue to grow longer and longer, making our days longer than our nights.
Despite the gloriousness of brighter skies, the world can feel like a really dark place sometimes, and right now in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak, it feels especially bleak.
As a collective community, I think we all feel like a load of laundry that’s been tumble dried then pulled out and thrown into a heap, inside out and upside down. Everything is in disorder and disarray.
In addition to fears for their health, people are facing financial fears as businesses close and services shut down. There’s confusion about how to respond to the pandemic and frustration as we face empty grocery shelves (not only are the stores out of toilet paper, apparently people are stocking up on quinoa and lentils too—the bulk section of my local grocery store was almost completely empty at my last visit).
Many are grappling with disappointment and even grief as carefully planned and much anticipated events, such as weddings, conferences, and graduation ceremonies have been canceled.
Two Truths To Encourage And Empower You
In this midst of this mayhem, there are two truths I want to remind you of and encourage you with.
The first is that just as we see the light of day overcoming darkness as we move beyond equinox, so Jesus' Light already has and continues to overcome the darkness surrounding us.
In John 1:4-6, the apostle John wrote this about Jesus:
“Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom—the Light that darkness could not diminish!” (TPT).
The English Standard Version says it this way:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
We are in a really dark time. Many are despairing. But as followers of Jesus, we are connected to the source of Life. We are partnered with the Light that bursts through the gloom, the Light that shines in the darkness, the Light and no darkness can overcome! No darkness can overcome! And it’s not just the Light that no darkness can overcome, it’s the Light that overcomes all darkness: all sickness, all disappointment, all despair.
The second thing I want to remind you of is this beautiful, much-loved promise from Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (TLB).
In a time when many are fearful about the future, we can live in hope knowing there is good yet to come! In the story of our lives and the history of humanity, there will be a chapter called “The Coronavirus Pandemic.” But that is not where the story ends. This chapter is far from the last chapter. We have a future and it is good. I believe 2020 is an important year and plays a big role in the good plans and purpose God has for each of us.
The enemy wants to do everything he can to stop us from trusting God and experiencing all He has for us, but we don’t have to let that happen. We can stand strong in God. We can resist fear. We can fight the fight of faith.
Contending For Our Destiny And Resisting Fear
So let’s stand together and resist fear! Let’s contend together for all God has destined for us in 2020. Let’s not let ANYTHING hold us back from God’s purpose for us in this season.
What does contending for our destiny and resisting fear look like?
It looks like:
1) Keeping close to God. Talk to Him. Tell Him if you’re feeling scared, discouraged, or disappointed.
And 2) Shifting your focus from the darkness to the Light. Fix your mind on who God is and declare His Word over your life:
When you face a financial setback, meditate on and declare the truth that He is your Provider. (Matt. 25-34; Phil. 4:19)
When you face sickness, meditate on and declare the truth that He is your Healer. (Luke 4:40; Psalm 30:2-3; Psalm 103:2-5)
When you face grief or disappointment, meditate on and declare the truth that He is your Comforter. (Isaiah 51:12 ; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you face a difficult decision, meditate on and declare the truth that He is your Guide. (Isaiah 58:11)
When you feel weak, meditate on and declare the truth that, if you are a follower of Jesus, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead is at work bringing life to your body, right now! (Romans 8:11)
I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! I'm standing with you and contending with you! I’m thanking God that He is the Light that overcomes the darkness and I’m praying that you see that in a big way in your life today. It may be hard to believe right now, but brighter days are ahead!
Much love and many blessings,
In purpose and faith,
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P.S.
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