March 29, 2020
Greetings and blessings to all of you. Hope everyone is safe and healthy. I must say I am respecting this time of Lockdown. It has allowed me to respect “the gift of time”. Some people have lost their lives already because of this virus and went on to heaven or hell. But we are still here. So for me {and I hope it is for you as well} you are using this TIME wisely … “redeeming the time because the days are evil”. I could use the time to be very self- focused and do “good things” like a “good responsible person” would do. I want to be Ms. Martha in the story in Luke 10:38-39. You remember the story. Martha was the responsible, perfectionist Martha Stewart, a dedicated, tireless Susan Home Maker type of the Bible; But at the same time she wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus like her friend Mary: studying the Bible, listening to Jesus voice, fasting, praying, having fellowship on line, worshipping the Lord in Song, calling people to pray with them especially the ones who feel hopeless. She was torn. Her mind was divided causing tension and stress. We are like that. We want it ALL. But God. He has always given us “the gift of choice.” During this time of this dreaded pestilence (COVID-19), we must remember God is in Control all the time….not just sometime but ALL THE TIME. God is greater than the virus! We must remember that our soul can be quiet and at rest in this crisis. Every crisis should bring true believers closer to God. He wants me (you) to focus on Him. Since this world is in chaos and in shut down mode what does a person do with a personality like Martha? It could be workaholics (males). What do they do? Mary was a True Worshipper. I do not fault Martha at all; Martha choice was understandable and commendable. She respected the day to day things that needed to get done; however, Mary recognized the danger. It’s people who love Christ but they could become so concerned with doing things for Him that they begin to neglect hearing Him and remembering what He has done for us. The moment our works become so important to us than our worship, we have turned the true spiritual priorities upside down. During this crisis be aware that we are prone to become spiritually unbalanced. Let us pray and fast for a worshipful listening spirit.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC