Many of us are spending a little more time at home these days! The worldwide pandemic and resulting restrictions have cut down on travel, meetings, school, and a host of other “normal” activities. Most are suffering some degree of withdrawal from the lack of sporting events and simultaneous overexposure to news media. Now we are to keep six feet away from one another!

Like many things in life, every negative can be a positive. After terrible circumstances Joseph declared, “…ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). Paul explained it this way: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The Lord has His purpose in this world but He also has a purpose in each of our lives.

What good work could be done in us while we live through this difficult season?

One of the benefits that should grow out of this parenthesis in life is a return to personal conversations and meaningful communication. While our face to face interaction with fellow students, business associates, and community members may be limited, we can spend more time talking to those nearest us. Let me encourage you to have these 3 “talks” every day…

1. Talk to God. This is a prime time for prayer. When our minds and hearts are full of concerns and questions that is a perfect opportunity to talk to the One who alone has answers. Oh…and don’t do all the talking yourself! Let Him talk to you through His Word. Hear His heart and think His thoughts. When you bring God into the conversation everything and everyone takes on a new perspective.
2. Talk to your family. Though we are interested in what is going on in the world we must not miss what is going on in our own home! Turn the television off, get the kids off the video games, lay the mobile phone down, and have a conversation with those you love most on earth. Play a game together. Do not lose your ability to laugh – it is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22)! The world situation is serious and we should be sober about it. However, we must keep a happy heart and home. This is a critical moment to reorder our own priorities and guide our children into lasting truth.
3. Talk to others. Everyone needs encouragement right now. Ask the Lord to give you an individual each day to whom you could be a blessing. It may be by phone, text, or email, but try to minister to someone each day. This is a time for Christians to be true neighbors!

Many public venues are closed but access to God is open, home is open, and our hearts should be open to others. Soon circumstances will change and we will be back to some semblance of normal. When that happens, we should be different people with stronger families and friendships.

There are delays along life’s journey but I have learned by experience that the unexpected stops are where most of the memories are made. May God help you to enjoy even this stage of the journey.

A resource for those with young children:

During these challenging days many children find themselves home from school and spending long days in the house. In an effort to help the time pass a little more quickly, some of our missionary friends are offering a FREE children’s activity booklet to any child who would like one. These booklets are filled with puzzles, games, and activities to help children learn about how to love Muslims like Jesus and how it is possible to reach them with the gospel.

Send an email to engage@crescentadvance.com and include your name, your address, and how many booklets you would like to receive. They will be mailed to you absolutely free of charge.