Excuse Me, But Can We Re-Schedule This Crisis?

By Stephanie Bell

Just like that, our entire world got turned on its head. Like all the events, church, sports, work and school, our way of life got cancelled overnight.

Oftentimes, when faced with a crisis, we can dig deep and find the ability to respond quickly with pitch perfect words of comfort and consolation.  

But THIS time, with circumstances of such epic proportions beyond anything anyone has ever faced in our lifetimes, I find myself struggling to respond in that way. 

At least not yet.

So what if you’re like me, and you’re overwhelmed by all the unknowns? When you can recall all the scripture, sing all the lyrics, and recite all the cliché’s, but in your heart of hearts, you actually feel frustrated and paralyzed? When you feel caught in the white space between knowing how He calls us to respond and putting it into action?

What if you just aren’t there yet?

You’re In Good Company

All throughout Scripture, we find friends like us, who didn’t always demonstrate the “correct” response right out of the gate. Abraham and Sarah, Moses, David, Peter, Paul…they all had their moments. And God’s love for them wasn’t contingent upon how quickly they got to the right answer.

Jesus’ disciples experienced this firsthand.  In Matthew 28, the apostles (the very ones who walked with Jesus everyday and witnessed His miracles firsthand) stood before their Risen King, and they still doubted!

And how did Jesus respond? By coming closer. By going TO them, reminding them of His power and authority, and giving them their marching orders. 

The Message translation says “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave His charge: God authorized and commanded me to commission you….” (Matt 28:18)

Their confusion, their doubts, and their fear didn’t throw Him off course one little bit. He knew what they needed. He was “undeterred.” 

He leaned in even closer with His presence, and it’s in His presence that they found peace.

We don’t have to pretend our feelings don’t exist. Sometimes our humanity wins out over what we’re ‘supposed’ to do.

Worries? Doubts? Anxiety? Fear? He already knows. And He can handle it. God isn’t shaken by our honesty. 

So it’s okay if you’re not there yet. I’m not either. But the beautiful thing about God’s love is that it is not dependent on my faithfulness, but on HIS. He can’t help it, it’s just who God is (see 2 Timothy 2:13). 

He knows where we are, He knows how to get to us, and nothing is going to stop Him from loving us.

He is bigger than what we feel, and it’s through this authenticity we have an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with this incredibly good, astoundingly gracious, relentlessly loving Father.

 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)