This past week we had two of our g-littles come stay with us for a couple of days. Their parents were scheduled to go to a conference in California, but due to the current concerns over the spread of COVID-19 their conference was cancelled. The g-littles had been so looking forward to coming for a visit that we decided to keep the plans as is, and they arrived with big grins on their faces Sunday afternoon. 

We originally planned to take the g-littles to an indoor play place and a children’s museum while they were with us, but determined it was not wise to do so, so we improvised by breaking out the Wii and making some crafts. We also let them pick out a movie to watch each day. The five year old didn’t care what we watched, but the four year old chose Frozen 2, everyday! So, watch Frozen 2 is what we did. Each time we watched, it was as if we were viewing it for the first time, except for the fact that we belted out the songs with great enthusiasm. 

One of the big moments of the movie is when Elsa sings, Into the Unknown. She is feeling called to go out on an adventure into unknown territory and has to make a decision to push down fear. Right now, it feels as if we are all facing unknown territory. It would be very easy to let fear take control. Schools closing. Businesses shutting their doors. Travel advisories. Being asked to social distance, when you may desire to bring people close. Places of worship meeting remotely. The news is filled with stories of loss and heartache on a global level. Who would have thought a couple of weeks ago people would be fighting over toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Yes, there are a lot of unknowns. Uncertainties. 

During times of uncertainty we can find solace, reassurance, in the KNOWN. The constant. We can squash fear by focusing on truth. Paul tells us in, Romans 8:38-39:

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ESV

We can be assured that his love is constant. There is nothing. Nothing. That can separate us from his love. I can rest in that. I can abide in that truth. 

There is an old hymn whose words talk about this constant, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine. The song was penned by a woman named Fanny Crosby. As a young child she had an illness that rendered her blind, yet her focus was not on her circumstances, but on the love that enveloped her and made her whole on the inside. The lyrics of the last verse say,

“Perfect submission, ALL is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

There is rest in letting go, and letting God be God. Being at peace in the constant of his love. 

During this time when it would be easy to get our eyes on our circumstances, let’s place our focus on things above. Let’s put our faith in the constant love of God. In turn, let’s find ways to share the reason for our faith, our peace, with others. We have an amazing opportunity to not act out of fear, but love! 

For your listening enjoyment.