What does life look like for you post lockdown?
In a few days we will move into level 3 lockdown in South Africa. We will begin to see a resemblance of what we once considered normal.
I urge you, however before we enter back into our new normal, allow yourself to process what this time of lockdown has meant to you.
There’s a tree in the middle of my garden. In winter, it’s bare and barren but when Spring dawns, it comes alive with color and beautiful white flowers begin to bloom. The winters prepare us for the spring rains; the blessings of God. If we walk in obedience, we will flourish. The season of thriving is ahead of us. The fruit starts to grow, and soon it will be ripe for harvest.
Are your hearts ready for harvest?
There are heavenly ordinances that have been released during this time. People on their knees have cried out to their God and He has heard them. We need to make sure that our faith has been filled by the right sort of fruit. If the fruit is rotten ended by faithlessness, the tree will struggle to blossom in the summer sun.
If we abide in the Lord, we will grow fruit. Abide, abide, abide in the Lord. Abide in Christ, anticipate His presence, awaken your desire for more of Him!
I believe that God influenced, knee bruising, heart-searching decisions have been made during this time of lockdown.
I have been asked this question a few times and I’ve asked it a few times more: “What is something that you’ve started during lockdown that you want to or have to, by way of obedience, continue with when lockdown is over?”
What has God highlighted to you during this time?
There are just some things that God has cemented in our hearts during this time that we will need to fight for to make them our new reality in our new normal.
When David was presented with the ‘opportunity’ to fight the giant, he tackled the opposition head-on. He chose not to miss his opportunity for obedience and victory. What God-given opportunity have you been presented with, during this period, that has required your obedience? What has your response been?
We have two choices:
- We can adopt an attitude of gratitude and grab hold of what God is doing in our hearts during this time; OR
- We can adopt an attitude of grievance and grapple endlessly with fear and other feelings of defeat.
Moses’ life on the run was interrupted by an encounter with God, who appeared to him in the midst of a burning bush. Moses was obedient to God and is known as one of the Bible’s greatest leaders. Greatness is achieved by daily faithfulness to God and His Word. It requires us to recognize God’s will through maintaining a real relationship with Him.
Adam disobeyed God. His disobedience led to shame, guilt, hardheartedness, and bitterness. The result of disobedience is lost intimacy with God. However, the story doesn’t end here. God’s unfathomable grace redeems us from sin and disobedience and restores us to that real relationship with Him. He is faithful and righteous and He restores us to righteousness in Christ. We don’t have to endure distance from God. Every barrier that we put up, whether it be sinful habits or decisions that dishonor God – He stills allows us the opportunity to walk in obedience.
Let’s not miss or mess up our opportunity to walk closer with God. Let’s not sit with our, ‘what might have beens?’ but rather muscle up the courage and follow the call God has on our lives. The first call is to walk with our God and love Him and follow Him.
So, what attitude are you adopting today?
What lockdown lessons will you allow to linger, long after lockdown has passed?
Write down your thoughts.
David was on the run when he penned Psalm 57. He hid in a cave. He was in his own ‘lockdown’ situation. These are the lessons he learnt:
- Psalm 57:1 – David recognised that God is a God of never-ending grace. Is God calling you to grow in grace? To grow in grace doesnt mean that Gods grace increases towards us. It means that we grow in understanding and appreciation towards what God has done for us; He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus paid the price. The gift of salvation, freedom and reconciliation is ours because of Gods grace. The more we perceive this truth, the more we can appreciate this gift. Gratitude at it’s best, is when we realize the gift of our gracious salvation. Read: 1 Peter 1:18-19.
- Psalm 57:1 – David recognised God was his ultimate security. Refuge means: fortress, haven, hiding place, protection, security, shelter.
- Psalm 57:2 – David recognised that God sits enthroned. David referred to God as God Most High which emphasizes the sovereignity and authority of God. Do you worship God as the One who sits on the throne of your life? Do you allow Gods Word to govern your decisions and daily disciplines?
- Psalm 57:5 – David recognised the eternal Glory of God, which is the beauty of His Spirit that emanates from His character and all His attributes. We are to display Gods Glory here on earth. Isaiah 43:7 tells us that God created us for His glory.
- Psalm 57:7-11 – David knew how to praise God. A people who know how to truly worship their God, will be a people who truly experience the blessings of God.
Mark Batterson says this; ‘If you let your circumstances define the way you see God, you are a prisoner of perspective. If you let God define the way you see your circumstances, you are a prisoner of hope.’
Let’s change our perspectives and be prisoners of hope!