Cut Off
3-23-20
“Stay home, stay safe, save lives.” Those are the words from our governor. Now she did say to go outside, take a walk and get some fresh air (as long as we stay six feet from anyone else out there). I confess I feel a little cut off—separated from everyone else. Recently I did a grocery run, and I didn’t feel cut off at all! In fact, I wished for a little more space. Also, I’m not alone at home—there are three of us (plus a grandchild at the time I began writing this).
Perhaps it’s resources I feel cut off from. Not that we are in need of anything, but we do like to have our ducks in a row, ready for anything, lacking nothing. I do not want to be asked, “Do we have this?”, and have to reply, “Nope.” Maybe that’s why I bought two heads of lettuce when we only needed one, even though the produce shelves are not empty.
I suppose I feel cut off from control. Nobody likes to feel like you are being dangled from a string that somebody else is pulling and made to dance to their tune. Even worse, perhaps, is dancing on the end of a string that no one is pulling, only those mindless forces we call circumstances. If there’s anything that defines human beings, it’s wanting to call our own shots. That’s really where this all started if we trace it back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3.
So, how do I deal with this cut off feeling? The answer to uncertainty is always truth. …you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) When you know what the truth is, you are certain. But you must know the truth. Verse 32, wonderful as it is, is only half of a sentence. When you read your Bibles—and I surely hope you are reading them—remember to read by sentences, not by verse numbers. So, let’s get the whole thought.
John 8:31-32 (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
To what extent they believed Him, I’m not sure, but it certainly wasn’t whole-hog! They didn’t deeply consider what He said, didn’t carefully think it through, didn’t logically act on it. They didn’t stake their lives on it. They didn’t grasp the truth and continue on the path to freedom.
How do I deal with this cut off feeling? I need to abide in His Word, then I will know the truth, and the truth will set me free.
Am I alone? No!
Hebrews 13:5b (ESV)
“I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Check out the rest of that verse if you are struggling with money worries.)
Psalm 27:10 (ESV)
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
Am I without resources? No!
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
After all, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Am I not in control? NO, I’M NOT! And happy are those who grasp that fact IF they grasp it in the knowledge of who is.
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
And what a glorious purpose it is! Romans 8:29-30 (NASB)
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
How will it all come out? Glory!
I can rest in that, after all, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Think about it!
Just a brother, Pastor Mark
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