Digging Deep (4/4/20)
I’m typically a very busy guy. Between my family, therapy job, 2 churches, blog, podcast, and youtube channel I have a lot of irons in the fire. So, when they announced schools would be closed back on March 15th, my first thought was “I can get so much done!”. My mind immediately went to all the side projects and hobbies I could get caught up with. But something interested happened. All those things that have kept me so “busy” for years suddenly weren’t priorities. With COVID-19 getting closer and closer to my doorstep, those “irons in the fire” didn’t seem so important. Instead of spreading myself thin with a million projects, I only seemed to care about 2 things, my family and my Father.
With the stress of the world weighing me down, my wife, daughter, and relationship with God seemed to be my only priorities. I didn’t want to go to the office. Or write more blog posts. Or binge-watch Netflix. I only wanted to spend time with my girls and with God. That’s what happens when the bad times come, we realize what’s truly important in our lives. Turns out, it wasn’t my career, website, or hobbies. It was my family and faith that mattered most.
Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve really dug deep into my faith and worked on strengthening my relationship with Jesus. Whether you’re on the frontlines battling this pandemic or watching “Tiger King” from your couch, we all need to be turning to God. And it doesn’t take much, just the Scripture and Prayer.
Scripture
There is no better source of hope and comfort than the Holy Bible. In terrifying times like these, the phrase “Do not be afraid” is one we should be reading daily. Luckily for us, it’s one of the most common statements found in the scripture. Reading God’s word is a powerful reminder of who’s really in charge. And it is the studying of that Word that we need to calm our fears and anxieties. Read Paul’s explanation of the power of scripture:
“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — II Timothy 3:10–17
Read that last line again: “thoroughly equipped for every good work”. ALL you need to carry out God’s will is His word. That’s it. Not only is it the greatest instruction manual ever written, but it also strengthens and empowers us to become better servants for Christ. The Scripture is God’s way of talking to us, but we all know conversations are a two-way street…
Prayer
Every night, after reading Addy about a hundred books, we sit in the bed and lead Addy through prayer. She often goes through a long list of people she wants to pray for before ending the prayer with a confident “Amen!”. When she was younger, her prayer consisted of “God, thanks, please, sorry, Amen!”. How perfectly simple that toddler’s prayer was. Those 5 words encapsulated almost everything we need in a good prayer. Jesus gives his disciples the model prayer in Matthew 6:
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” — Matthew 6:5–15
The Lord’s Prayer consists of 5 components: Praise “Hallowed be Your name”, Surrender “Your will be done”, Request “give us this day our daily bread”, Apology “forgive us our debts”, & Protection “do not lead us into temptation”. When you go to God in prayer include these 5 things. The Lord’s Prayer is an excellent template if you’re new to prayer. However you pray, be sure to listen. We modern Christians are guilty of saying a quick prayer before going back to our busy lives. After you pray, spend a few moments meditating on what was said, and giving God the opportunity to respond.
In Closing
Bibles opened and heads bowed. That is how we should be digging deep into our faith. Our communication with God requires consistent prayer and reading of His scripture. It is through these 2 actions that we are reminded of His power, His glory, and His grace. Our relationship with God is more important than anything else. Regardless of how busy or bored you might be during this pandemic, always make time for God.
Our gracious and heavenly Father,
Praise be to You! Guide and direct our footsteps so that we may better serve Your will. Grant us spirits of power, love, and sound mind. It is with these spirits that we may better follow the path of Christ Jesus. Please forgive us our sins, and give us the strength and grace to forgive others. Protect us from the evils of this world and surround us all with Your healing embrace.
Amen
-Bro. Billy Hatridge
