“Will you not revive us again
that you people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord and
grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he
promises peace to his people, his saints—but let them not return to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our
land.”*
Having just stepped into a new year, we hope the
one that lies ahead will be better—healthier and happier too. 2020 was
certainly a challenge for us all. In some cultures, a door of the house is left
open on New Year’s Eve so that the old year can leave and the new one enter. A
friend of Al’s told him if that was the case, she was going to leave two doors
open! One thing is sure about that decision—her house is going to be chilly!
Another friend
expressed her fatigue at having to cover her face all day long while working
with her clients. She was tired of the inconvenience as well as the
impersonality of everyone wearing a mask.
“I so long to see their faces again,” she said with a sigh
Who would have
guessed at this time last year that it would be necessary to wear a mask when
out in public or that even going out in public would be reduced to a minimum?
While masks are now commonplace and plentiful, wearing them still takes some
adjusting.
There have been times when either Al or I have
walked right past posted signs into a building only to be stopped by someone
with the reminder, “Wear your mask!”
“Woops, sorry,” we
respond sheepishly, quickly digging around in fanny pack or purse to get it
out.
It was even hard
wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” A
“joyous” Christmas or at least a “happy” one, but “merry”? That adjective just
didn’t seem to fit, not with all that we have experienced.
As I was standing
at the meat counter one afternoon, I asked the man behind the counter if he was
well. Normally, it’s “how are you?” and the usual response, “fine.”
It was a surprise when he shook his head. “No,
I’m not well.”
There was a long
pause while he cut and wrapped a fish filet for me. What should I say?
“May I say a
prayer for you?” I asked. There wasn’t anyone else around and it seemed like
the best thing to do at that moment.
Again, he shook
his head, solemn brown eyes cast down to the counter.
“Why not?” I
asked.
“It won’t help,”
he said. “It will just be blocked,” pointing up to the ceiling high above us.
“Well, let’s try
anyway.” I said a very short prayer out loud.
He handed over the
fish without another word. I promised to keep on praying for him as I went on
with the shopping, believing that God was indeed listening and was with him in
his suffering.
Al had gone on ahead of me to the vegetable
department while I waited at the meat counter. After we had finished shopping,
we stood in the checkout line and were putting our groceries on the belt, when we
heard agitated voices a few rows away. It sounded like a fight was brewing
between an employee and perhaps a customer. The tension in the air could be
felt. More prayer needed!
“I’m going to get
you out of here as fast as I can,” said the cashier, wide-eyed.
Well, things
calmed down quickly without any fights. It was obvious that emotions were on
edge and patience had been stretched to the limit.
Yes, these have
been and are trying times. Doubtless there will be more. Although the future is
concealed, what we can know for certain is that He loves us, will be with us
and that one day we will see Him face to face.
In the midst of
the turmoil, God is beckoning, calling us to take off our spiritual masks…
those covering up our hearts and hiding our true selves. What will be our
response?
Will we come
before Him as we truly are—confessing sin, committing ourselves completely to
Him and relying upon Him for help? The outcome of the future really depends on
that.
It’s time for
renewal!
*Psalm 85: 6-9 NIV
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