What Now?

 

I've been absent here for quite some time. To be honest I haven't had the heart to share, and I wasn't sure what to say. Today I feel the Lord is prompting me to speak.

Our country has been through a tumultuous year. We've faced some truly terrifying and painful circumstances. There have been bitter words exchanged, lies told, and half truths shared in hopes of confusing people. Now it's time we set out anew in search of a better path, God's path.

If you know me well you understand that today's inauguration of Joe Biden was painful for me. I am one of millions who believe the election was fraudulent. Even so, those of us who had hoped to unearth the truth need to move forward, not an easy task. Many of us had hoped there would be accountability for the wrong done to our country. We prayed for God's intervention and protection. Now it seems out prayers have gone unanswered. But that can't be true. To believe that is to disbelieve God's Word. God always answers our prayers, though oftentimes not the way we might have hoped. He can say, "Yes. No Or wait."

God knows the best outcome and the best time. He knows the whole picture, the beginning and the end. We need to trust Him.

So...what do we do now? 

First we seek God with our whole heart and mind. We do as God commands. We share the good news of the gospel with the world and we make disciples, which is a command. Beyond that we have individual talents and spiritual gifts given by God for His good work. We each have something good to contribute to our world. 

We need to be the best we can be in our little or big space in this world. We need to reach out to others, helping wherever we are called. We are to love one another, pray for one another. 

I've heard terrible reports coming out about the press and vicious leftists who want all Trump followers to pay terrible consequences for their loyalty to him. If we return their hatred with our own it will only create a violent vicious storm. 

• We can continue to speak truth, but without hateful or violent intent.
• We need to spend of time with God - pray, read scripture, worship, spend time with other believers. God will uplift us.
• Seek out honest and trustworthy news sources. It takes creativity and requires tracking down leads, but there are some good news sources we can trust.
• We should do all we can to serve in our communities at all levels, including our local governments. 

The days to come will be challenging, possibly even frightening, but God did not give us a spirit of fear. He will stand with us, giving us strength to face whatever is coming.

Trust Him. He loves you. He wants to bless you with His presence and His peace.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

I no longer have a page on Facebook so if you like what I've said here please make sure to share and for future updates please follow me here on my blog. I can be found on MeWe at https://mewe.com/myworld.

Thoughts For Today -- What Now?

A day has passed since the election and I've had a little time to digest the outcome and feel ready to share my thoughts.

I admit to being shaken when the results came in. I was stunned and deeply saddened. I couldn't stop the tears as I grieved what I viewed as a terrible loss for our country. I pondered what would happen now?  What would become of my beloved country and its people?

I admit that I blasted out some of my sorrow on Facebook. And Wednesday I bopped around the site reading a number of comments and adding some of my own. There were expressions of despair, fear and confusion. Some people were angry while others cheered what they saw as a victory. What I felt most was a sensation of walking through a graveyard of hopes and dreams. Facebook had become a place to grieve, but ultimately a place where people comforted and uplifted one another.

I know that many saw it as a place full of anger and hatred. And though I saw that, there was a gradual transition into what I feel was a healthy linking of arms as people prayed for one another and helped people see that life is not over and that there is hope.

I also read a few columns. Some tried to explain the why of the election results. Others shared the writer's own journey of emotions and resolutions. And some were there to encourage readers. I identify with them all.

So . . . where do we go from here? I heard one news commentator say, "We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get to work." That sounds good to me. It's not over. My country is not lost. God is not absent. He knows it all and He has a plan.

This great unknown that faces our country has triggered good discussions between myself and some of my family. We are taking a closer look at our lives and how we spend our time. And whether or not we need more time with our Lord. We've also come to the conclusion that we need to make better use of the gifts and talents we've been given and of the time we have. God has the answers. He will reveal what we are to do to prepare for what is coming and He will make sure we know what He's called us to do.

While I pray and wait, I will continue my present work and step through open doors. Just what is in store for me I do not know, but I will keep on praying and I know God hears my prayers and will answer them.

I begin with thanksgiving. I am so thankful to be a child of God and to be assured that I am never alone. I know that even when the world feels wobbly, God has things under control. The future is a bit frightening, but I feel a stirring of excitement about what is to come.

God holds us in the palm of His hand. He will not let us go. Pray. Seek Him. And when He speaks, for He surely will, do whatever He asks of you. And then above that tell others how deeply they are loved. There are many hurting souls who don't know, and they are waiting for someone to tell them.


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie