Day 58 "Some of the Best Things in Life are Free"

As each corner is turned, we seem to bumping into something else connected in some way to the Coronavirus. And as we encounter these new perspectives, our level of fear and anxiety ratchet up a little more and more each time. But what seems to be a situation spiraling down-ward out of control, also has its glimmer of hope and ray of light trying to break through the dark cloudy skies above. It has to do with community and caring for one another. Just a few months ago, most of us were locked into our own worlds and careers and doing what needed to be done for ourselves and our family. Now, with a shelter at home nearly in every state across the nation, the pace has slowed down remarkably and people are finding more time to reconnect with each other. Picking up groceries for someone unable to get out, serenading one's neighborhood or neighbor, helping others with things they are unable to do for themselves, spending time with those who otherwise would be in total isolation. The most precious commodity that each of us possess, and it comes only in a limited commodity, is our time. When it is expended on behalf of someone else, there is an unspoken message delivered: You matter and your life is important to me. Unearned and unmerited, our time is a rare commodity that we extend to others at no cost or expenditure to them.

During these days where the skies seem dark and the future bodes with uncertainty, I invite you to let your thoughts migrate to the things that are free to us but have the capability to lift our spirits out of the doldrums and cast aside the overhanging spirit of fear. Look for the rainbow in the storm- a symbol of hope and assurance that God is with us. Reflect on the many blessings you already have while watching the sunrise or sunset. Behold the glorious stars above in the sky at night. Watch others at play. Send someone a note or word of encouragement. Let others know that you are thinking of them. Reach out and let others know that they are not alone in all of this. Ask someone the question, "What can I do to help?"

And all the while as we struggle ourselves to make sense out of all this and find ways to cope, be reassured in your spirit that no matter how dark everything may seem to get all around us here on Earth, in Christ, our eternal security and destination have already been secured. Embedded in grace and mercy, it is God's free gift to us through his son that assures us of who we are and what our ultimate destiny is ahead.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galatians 5:1

"Freely you have received; Freely give." Matthew 10:8

"He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release from the oppressed." Luke 4:18

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from every- thing you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39

"We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we many understand what God has freely given us." 1 Corinthians 2:12

"Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." Colossians 1:22

"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15

Do you know that you live a life that is simultaneously being lived in two worlds: the physical and the spiritual at the same time? You continue to have implications in both worlds whenever you do or not do something? But where your mind and thoughts dwell, to that world you will currently give greater allegiance and be affected more by the things around you. Jesus instructed us to set our minds on things that are above and not to be a lover of this world. BUT while we are here, to love is our motivating factor and primary purpose. No matter how the Coronavirus turns out, life here on Earth is still temporary.

When the pace around us comes abruptly to a halt, it is a good time to reflect and reassess the things in life that our truly important. When it comes to things that are free, love is one of the best things we can receive and to give.

******************************************************************************

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

In his love, see you tomorrow... "Carpe Momentum in Love"