We are living in dark and strange times. Coronavirus has shaken the whole world…even wars are largely stilled. And we see God is raising us to new ways of loving and communicating. He who created all things out of love, gives us freewill to choose to believe and trust His ways, and seek His image in us, or to go our own way. This Love, is what He invites us to live with Him, today.
Many in their ‘locked down state’ find themselves ‘going in’ and finding old wounds or remembrances of things they wish they hadn’t done. Frequently old demands, behaviour and emotions of others, which were neither life-giving or loving, even evil, get locked into minds, emotions and will. These hidden hurts block fullness of life, and a will for God’s ways and His love. The most extreme of these harmful events, frequently in childhood, are labelled as ‘traumas’ and cause PTSD……post-traumatic stress-disorder….. and I would argue, so-called personality disorders. What do I/we do with these often horrific memories, emotions, responses, particularly in our ‘locked down’ state?
I had become a workaholic to cover up the evil/death and lovelessness within me. Only when I was exhausted and desperate did I have ears to hear God’s call to seek His ways. Through the prayers and witness of some students I taught, I chose to open my heart to hear and learn about Jesus Christ. Finally when I had started going to a church, and found Love and acceptance, I received Jesus Christ – the incarnate God into my heart. Through Him I quickly came to trust that God loved me, but I had many old mind habits to overcome to start to live for Him in love, gentleness and a quiet mind.
I became aware that deep within my heart was a lie, ‘Love is a lie’ – and though I tried to get rid of this from my mind and claim the truth – for essentially it was saying ‘God is a lie’ – I was led to understand that I needed the Victory of the Cross of Christ in order to make it, ‘Love is aliVe’…… In other words the words from the Cross of Christ needed to become my words to all those whose behaviour had caused me to believe that love was a lie. ‘Father forgive them, they know not what they do’. And I needed to start to live for Love.
And this is how I, and all those who are seeking to live for Love, live today with the Unseen Real. In the words of St Paul, ‘when I am reviled, I bless.’ In day by day growing in trust and love of God, and knowing that in and through Christ I am loved by the Father, I can stand in Love towards all. From the Love within me, I can bless those who treat me badly – and pray for them. In trust in the Promises of God I don’t need to worry about what I will eat or drink or wear, but through His Spirit, make sure that I am being obedient to His love working in me to ensure the needs of others are being met.
If you have needs today – open your heart to even the possibility that ‘Jesus Christ’ is more than a swear word – and ask, ‘Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me’. And/or find a Bible, and read one of the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. And/or read the psalms a few at a time and hear God’s promises to the broken hearted, the widows and orphans, the sick and suffering – hear the cries of anguish coming from the hearts of the psalmists- and know God hears your cries too. Jesus tells us, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’. There is no pretending with God. He knows your heart and He wants to take your burdens. But He hates pride, self-interest, and all those who seek glory for themselves. Come Lord Jesus, forgive us our pride and self-interest…. we need You in the world to lead us through this death culture and separation from God, to humility, Love and true Life.