Pandemic Tip #5

March 25, 2020

I mentioned the idea of talking to God. Theologically it’s called “prayer.” However, I feel that prayer is one side of a conversation with the living one true God.

How are we to hear God’s voice? I’m glad you asked that question!

Let me direct your attention to 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 [CEB] “Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.”

“Inspired” basically means that what you are reading comes from God to you. The Bible is good for four things that are useful for us in time of need. First, the Bible teaches us. There are multiple threads in the Bible such as “the scarlet thread” (the story of God’s redemptive plan). The thread I want to point out today is about God’s personal interaction with the individual. The Bible is full of examples of how the Almighty God not only communicates with His people, but WANTS to communicate with His people.  Think of it: God wants to communicate with you. For the most part this has nothing to do with the mystical, going into a trance, doing something strange, or any other descriptor. You will know when God speaks to you.

The second thing the Bible does is showing us mistakes. The Bible shows us what is wrong with our lives in the world. From personal experience I want to assure you, this is the healing touch of the physician. Maybe painful at first.

Number three is “correcting.” While number two shows us what is off course. Number three is the correction in direction. It is the guiding hand of the master craftsman on the apprentice. It is light and life to the wounded, the scared, and the needy soul.

The last thing is “training character.” I don’t know about you but I feel like the world is going “wild.” We give praise to impulses that are out of control. We empower those who want to exercise out of control impulses. “Training character” is considered unwanted (at best).

I was once in a “big box” store, in the checkout line behind a young mother struggling with a boy who was about 6 years old. The boy kept grabbing a candy bar and throwing it into the cart. The mom would calmly put it back on the shelf. This repeated itself several times until the mom said “no” to her son. The child’s response was priceless. He stated, very loudly, “You can’t tell me that. It’s illegal.”

There is a reason for all this, simply put, we will “be equipped to do EVERYTHING that is good.” You know “good” when you see it. It has nothing to do with politics or religion. Good is what reflects the character of God. Thus, the need to be taught, shown what needs correcting, how to correct it, and the character needed to do what is good.

Speaking of candy bars.... I want to give a shout out to my neighbors at this point. The kids made us card and they put a large chocolate bar in the mail box. It includes an offer to help, if help is needed (from the mom). Maybe it’s a small gesture, but it’s good.

Someone has said “the right tool for the right job.” Maybe, if you talk to God (pray) and read the Bible you will come to understand that you are the right tool for a job God intends to get done. It doesn't have to be a "big" job because "small" ones can make a big difference. Maybe you will find yourself in partnership with God, doing incredible good. No appearance on Shark Tank needed.