Wishes

Did you ever wish that you could sleep in late? Maybe not even go to work? Have you ever wished that you had time to read a good book or two? Play a game? Do a puzzle? On a gloomy Sunday morning, have you wished you didn’t have to get dressed and go to church? Just stay in your pajamas for a change?

If all of these wishes came true, would it make you happy? Well, we’re finding out, aren’t we? We never thought we’d have so many days of this strange lifestyle. At least for those of us who are retired or can’t work from home.

For outgoing social butterflies, quarantine is an aggravating situation. For those of us who are quiet introverts, it’s not so bad. I’ve always had a hankering to try being a hermit. But this is a little more than we all bargained for. Especially for those who live alone. Or for those who live with difficult people.

But wait. Let’s stop and think. What are we learning from this time? Now we know how much we need each other. We have learned to appreciate those who work in service capacities. We’ve learned how disciplined or not disciplined we really are. Staying home in pajamas isn’t all that we hoped it would be.

That brings me to the old question that was often used a few years ago. “What would Jesus do?” I venture to say that He would follow the government’s orders, whatever that may be. He would surely spend a lot of time in prayer. After all, we know that it wasn’t unusual for Him to withdraw for a whole night pouring out His heart to the Father.

 Jesus would probably spend a lot of the day pondering over the truths of God’s Word and finding ways to share hope with others. Can we say that we are spending this abundant time on our hands in such profitable ways? Not being unconcerned about the world, but letting go of anxiety so that the heavenly Father can fill us with His peace.

Here’s what I’ve been meditating on. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6 & 7. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

How’s that for a challenge and a word of encouragement at the same time?