“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13 ESV
To stand firm in Christ, sometimes we need to first let go. Letting go can be a season, a sin habit, an offense, even an unhealthy expectation.
As this pandemic’s end is within sight, it is time to let go. Sometimes this is done best with a guide. I wanted to share with you a three-step process the Lord is using in my life. This can be done in a single sitting or devotionally worked through over a few days. The heart isn’t for you to go through it, but for the Holy Spirit to move in you.
Step 1: Reflect
Step 2: Remember
Step 3: Repent
Before you begin, take a moment to pray. “Holy Spirit, speak to my heart. Lead me into truth. By engaging these steps, please set me free to be more like Jesus. Amen.”
Let’s get started.
Step One: REFLECT
The storm has almost passed, but nothing has been left untouched in its wake. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus shares an insightful story regarding storms. Here is what is insightful. We often read this story from an either-or perspective. But I happen to wonder if this was the intention of Jesus. Because here is what Jesus says, let’s read His story together.
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet, it didn‘t collapse because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn‘t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
A few questions for prayerful reflection:
Q1: Do you always act on the words of Jesus? Always? I know I sure don’t. So what if we looked at this parable, not as an either-or perspective, but a both-and proposition?
Sometimes we trust the words of Jesus and are wise.
Other times we trust ourselves/others and are foolish.
Remember being wise and foolish doesn’t mean smart or dumb. The fear of the Lord, which is the starting point to wisdom, is living in the way of Jesus by trusting His word about good, evil, and what leads to living a flourishing life in Christ.
Q2: What has the pandemic season, this storm, revealed? Take a few moments to think through the past season. Ask a few people you trust to share what they’ve seen in your life during this last season. Listen openly and humbly.
To get more specific, here are a few more targeted questions.
Q3: Did you become more cynical or loving, critical or kind towards others?
Q4: Did your spiritual disciplines remain intact? (Bible, Prayer, Church, Generosity)
Q5: Did you stay connected to others as best as you were able?
The good news is where you have been wise, a heartfelt congratulations.
Really, so well done.
Where you have been foolish – this storm isn’t the end of your story.
Today is a new day, full of grace, truth, mercy, and opportunity.
Yet before we can rebuild, we need to remember.
Step Two: REMEMBER
It is important to remember both who and what we have lost in this storm; some who worshiped alongside us have passed away. Other’s may no longer be following Jesus. Even still, some have found a home in a new church. Praise the Lord!
In truth, there were three connective storms in the past season. Pandemic, Social, and Political. A vital tool Jesus gave us to navigate pain and suffering is called a prayer of lament.
Lament can be a prayer for God to act, participating in the pain of others, and is proof of the relationship we have with God. No matter which type of prayer, this is true of each. Lament is not a final prayer. It is a prayer in the meantime.
Take time to remember and pray concerning this last season. Thank God He is present. Pray for God to move. Pray for God to heal our polarizations, divisions, even our actual losses suffered in this past season.
Whatever the storm revealed, see it fully, but not as final. God is here with us. He will do something new. Yet, in the meantime, pray.
Also, before we can rebuild, we may need to repent.
Step Three: REPENT
Repentance is turning from something, and of equal importance, it is turning to Someone. As followers of Jesus, we turn to Jesus. We don’t hide, run, or self-justify whatever the storm revealed in us.
A few chapters before Jesus’ story of the storm, here is what He said, “Produce fruit consistent with repentance.” Matthew 3:8
Q6: Take a moment to ask God’s forgiveness for trusting in yourself more than relying on His Word.
Q7: Ask the Holy Spirit, based on how I conducted myself during this past season, is there anyone of whom I need to request forgiveness? If so, pray about what taking this step can look like for you.
Let’s pray…
“Dear Jesus. Thank you for loving me just the way I am. Yet loving me enough never to leave me the way I am. You desire for me to be more like You. So I confess both my sin and my shortcomings to you. I ask You to forgive me. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Set in me a clean, a new heart towards You, others, and Your church. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
To stand firm in Christ, sometimes we need to first let go. I hope this exercise was helpful for you in trusting Jesus deeper in your day-to-day life.
Liz Bell
I love this so much. For me going through this pandemic, I realize more and more how much I need Jesus in my life, keeping Him centered in everything I do, think or say.. With all the negative comments on the media, and others, I knew I had to stand firm allowing Holy Spirit to whisper my next steps and my next words. I did have times of being cynical and critical of others as their words of criticism and negativity seemed to become louder and more frequent. But through it all, I kept my mouth closed, but I could feel the struggle in my heart (the darkness is ugly), and at times I felt I wanted just to throw my arms in the air and walk away from everything. But I give the glory to God as He was my strength through this, and I felt like I was being drawn closer to Him like a magnet, and I kept my feet firm on our Rock. I will take notes on your 3 R’s of REFLECT, REMEMBER and REPENT. I still have areas that need work. And I pray for those who don’t know Jesus. The momentary darkness that would creep into my heart was scary. I pray for those who live in that darkness daily that they open their hearts to allow God’s light to shine and they seek the wisdom of God, the true understanding of who He is and who they are in Christ, and that they desire to read His Word and allow His truth to fill their hearts and minds. Thank you, Pastor Jason, for this post.
Lindsay Bechamp
Thank you, Pastor Jay. This is so good. I had never thought of the ‘both-and’ perspective, but only the ‘either-or,’ and I can totally relate to being ‘both-and’ when it comes to being both wise & foolish at times in my life. Lord, help me to be wise…help me to build my house on the solid rock…daily.