When Clouds Roll In

Have you ever heard, or maybe been involved in, a debate about the creation of the world? That always baffles me since there was no media on the scene to record the events exactly as it occurred (and who would really believe them, anyway?). The Genesis account of the creation was not written for the purpose of memorizing the order in which things were created or start arguments about whether the seven days were 24 hour days. It was simply written to explain to God's people that  they were, in fact, created in the image of the One True God. These people had been living among and enslaved by those who believed in multiple deities with self-seeking agendas. And then they wandered in the desert and discovered even more civilizations that believed in even more gods with all manner of ridiculous demands and they simply did not know the God who had rescued them.

Moses wanted them to know His God. The One whose voice he had heard on the Mountain. The One who made covenants with His people so that they might live and thrive. The One who protected and brought them miraculous victories. The One who cared about their day to day living so much that He gave them careful instructions about how to live. Using Genesis as a weapon to battle the world defeats the entire purpose of pointing others to a good and mighty Creator.

I, like Moses, want you to know my God... the God of Moses; the God of my father, the God who I serve. With the Coronavirus pandemic, we are living in a time when fear is growing daily and the One True God will be challenged and questioned and doubted. We are surrounded by cultures that don't know and believe and serve our God, just as the Israelites in the days of Moses.  We have a great opportunity to lean heavily into the God who created us in His own image so that we can reflect His love and spread His peace and shine His light. I pray that all the unknown surrounding us will draw us closer to Him and increase our desire to know this God who is not at all surprised or threatened by COVID-19.

As we enter the unknown, may I remind you that your children are listening to you and taking cues from you as to whether there is reason for concern. They will sense your unspoken fears. I encourage you to be confident that your life is ultimately in the hands of a God who sees; who knows your fears and is the source of our peace. Allow them to express their fears and don't belittle them. Just listen and explain that we are all in this together and we will be part of the solution. Keep your conversation age appropriate for them and as light as you can as you answer their questions. Add some fun imagination to all the scary imaginings they may be hearing. Assure them that if God determines that your family should all be covered in purple stars and orange glitter, that He will delight in you, as always and be with you as He promised. Nothing is too hard or too big for our God. All power rests in Him to use in the way that is best, from His sovereign perspective. Look to Him through the days ahead and rest assured that His love is unstoppable and His faithfulness is unending.