Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. – Psalm 80:3
This was supposed to be the last academic week for students. And Friday would have been the beginning of Summer break. We know that we won’t be seeing any structure of school until fall, and even that may seem different. For us, it will mean 2 children in elementary school, and neither Samantha nor I are sure how we feel about that. Getting back to a restored society, or a sense of normal may be a long way away, or at least is feels that way right now.
Truth is there are days just making it to bedtime is a win. Doesn’t matter what was or mostly wasn’t accomplished, the day is done, and it’s time to rest, because we know it will happen all over again the next day. I guarantee that one day we will look back and miss the noise of this house, but it won’t be today, nor tomorrow. Those days we seek the help that only God can provide, and then wonder who has prayed that we would have patience.
It’s a running joke in our family, something that arose from a small group we were a part of many years ago. We fully believe that when you pray for patience, God answers that prayer by placing opportunities in front of you to practice patience. Therefore, we never pray that we would have patience, but that we would have peace, even in the chaos.
In our psalm, that writer is seeking the restoration that comes from salvation. The psalmist recounts that God has done so much for his people in the past. The writer has heard the stories, and had faith to believe that God can make things right again, but patience is wearing thin. The psalmist laments, “how long, O Lord…” These days we feel that we can echo that lament, we wonder how long, O Lord, will we need to remain distant from one another? How long, O Lord will I need to make sure I have a mask and hand sanitizer everywhere I go? How long, O Lord, will it be till I can see my friends, my loved ones, the faces of each church member?
The psalmist says verse 16: “Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire…” However I am reminded that Jesus tells us in John 15:2 – “He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” The vine is not cut down, and we do not lose hope in these times of wondering “how long…” Instead we understand that God is pruning, refining, and preparing us for something better on the other side of all this.
I read recently that the image of an arrow might be best for 2020 as we have experienced it. The reason is, that an arrow doesn’t do anything until it is first drawn backwards. When an arrow is pulled from the quiver and placed on the bowstring, it must be pulled back before it can be released. In these times of tension, uncertainty, fear and doubt, we are being pulled back, but in faith, I believe it is only because God is preparing to launch us into something better. I hope that you will be inspired this week to look for the ways in which you are being prepared to launch into something new, something amazing, something in which God will bless you richly.
As always, I’d love to hear your stories, your encouragements, and if it’s something you would like for me to share with everyone else, I’d be happy to do so.
Grace & Peace,
Sam