Image courtesy of UK Daily Express.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17
The numbers alone are almost enough to make you lose faith.
More than 20 million Americans are out of work. Some are temporarily furloughed. Others are truly unemployed – their workplace shuttered, or jobs permanently destroyed by the COVID-19 storm.
Many businesses report dwindling cash reserves. Some estimates predict a quarter of small businesses might never reopen.
Who’s doing well? Alcohol sales, for one. Wine and spirits sales have increased more than 25 percent. Sales of beer 24-packs are close behind.
The kicker? Sales of 3-liter box wines – you know, the ones where you can’t tell how much you’ve drank, because it’s inside a cardboard box – have risen 53 percent!
Divorce lawyers stand to profit, too. Facing government stay-at-home orders, couples are experiencing a lot of togetherness. Maybe too much, if a partnership was already troubled.
Or, relationship cracks could develop just from being cooped up, without the usual outlets of work, sports, entertainment and socializing. Spare time doesn’t necessarily mean good times. Social welfare agencies are bracing for a significant uptick in domestic violence, similar to what European countries experienced as coronavirus swept through.
What to do? These are perilous, unpredictable days.
We are lovers of routine. Wake up. Eat breakfast. Go to work. Come home. Spend time with family or friends. For many, this familiar daily cycle has been vaporized. It’s gone … gone … gone.
Human beings are social creatures … yet much of our social interaction has been lost. Zoom, Skype and phone calls only go so far. Not being able to look someone in the eye, and appreciate their physical presence, forgoes a large element of a strong relationship.
The resulting void is unfamiliar and intimidating. Don’t be ashamed if you’re scared. Many are. In these times of upheaval in society and our daily lives, what are we supposed to do?
Turn to Christ. There you go. Simple, true and abundantly fulfilling.
Yes, it’s a simple answer … but following Christ isn’t simple. A relationship with Him requires discipline, commitment and a new routine.
Yet, as so many foundations of life fall down around us, what do you have to lose?
Maybe, before, you were too busy to think about it. Or, things were going so well, you didn’t need to. That Jesus stuff was for others who needed a crutch. Not you.
Well, if we’ve learned one thing in the past month, it’s that life can change in an awful hurry. Many comforts and taken-for-granteds have disappeared. If you sense an emptiness, it might be more than just loss of routine.
Consider the bigger picture. The bedrock your life rested upon has shifted, or broken apart completely. The yawning gap looks large and deep. You might be frightened. It’s OK.
Christ is waiting. As he said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Don’t let challenging times make you lose faith. Rather, trust it to Him who leads his followers to hope and peace.
The question deserves to be posed again: What do you have to lose?
(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)
