Intermission: What I've Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

I hope all of you are enjoying and learning something you can apply from my series on the Lord's Prayer. I have enjoyed sharing ideas about the prayer Jesus taught us.

This week, I'm taking a break from the series. It will continue next week.

This week, I'm sharing some things I've learned---meaning things I know to be true--since my life began to change as a result of the pandemic. These lessons began to appear in mid-March of this year.

1. Wishing doesn't  lead anywhere. A wish only has meaning when accountability, motivation, purpose, and energy are attached. Without these things, wishes become drugs. They make us feel good for a while, but nothing has really changed.

2.  People can't be counted on to see their best interests or act in their best interests. Time is needed to clear the mind and see the true landscape during times of panic or uncertainty. You may not be clear. Those around you may not be clear.

3.  Tragedy or loss can be a call to renewal and resurrection. Tragedy is real. Fear is real. I have always disliked how motivational speakers sometimes used the phrase "Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real." This is completely untrue. It's a catchy phrase, but there are real things to fear because if we ignore them or pretend they're something else, we will be destroyed or seriously damaged. Fear is the knowledge that something is wrong. That knowledge can be helpful. That knowledge may save your life. An adjustment, correction, response, or change of course will be needed. If you aren't satisfied with death and dying, an unexpected or unfair loss can be a call to renew or re-live. It's a choice we can make. We don't have to do it alone. When called upon, God will be with us--energizing, enlightening, and directing our choice to live and to live well.

4.  Moving forward is always uncomfortable--for a while. A new space may be uncomfortable for a while. If it's for you, make it your own. Discomfort is the price of growth.

5.  God has plans. Am I asking about them?  Let you prayer be more of listening than of speaking. Do you want to be guided? Then you must listen. God already knows you completely and knows what you need, what you can handle, and what your final destination will be. More listening, less talking..

6.  Relationships must change because people always change. No one will emerge from this time unchanged. That includes you and me. Relationships will change--some for the better, others not. Be prepared to live honestly and to see what is actually in front of you. Doing anything else will create more disorder and more confusion. Anticipate this: because you must change in this time, others will change as well. Don't be surprised and don't act as if something is wrong. We may come out of this undamaged, but we will not come out unchanged.

What useful lessons have you learned during this time?

Next week, I will resume the phrase by phrase study on the Lord's Prayer. We will examine this phrase: "on earth as it is in heaven." This phrase is the key to knowing God's will.