Beech Tree News Network

Am I the only one who has noticed how much of life has become unsettled? Maybe it has always been this way, and my mind has not grasped it until now. We sing, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”  Could truer words be said or sung today? Perhaps things are going at a faster speed than they used to? I am not sure. I think about how this year started. It seems like every day there is something different that requires our attention because it is vital to us. Do we remember the impeachment of our President? How many years ago was that? Do we remember the Tennessee and Arkansas tornadoes that ravaged the land and killed our loved ones? How many months ago was that? (I speak tongue-in-cheek to make a point.) Now, we are in a crisis that is unknown to the current world population. A virus runs rampant across our planet, and men wonder what to do, and what is next?

             Why is this pandemic happening? There are too many variables to narrow it down to one reason. Instead, we need to deal with life “as is” rather than how we wish it was or how it “used to be.” I have heard people using the term “new normal,” and this may be an accurate statement.

            Therefore, to speak of life being unsettling and that “all other ground is sinking sand” is to state the obvious.

             What then can be done? Is there any hope? Do we have any chance for things to be “settled” and “calm” again? I believe so. I believe there will be a national “calm” and “settling” in some way. I just don’t know when! A virus must run its course, and then things can return to “normal.”

             Greater than this, I believe there is an opportunity for being calm now, in the midst of the pandemic. Paul spoke of “the peace the passeth all understanding” in his letter to the Philippians (Phil. 4:7). Are you interested in that? Me too! On earth, Christ could calm the seas with a word (Mk. 4:39). Can He not also calm us with His Word if we would only listen? “He maketh the storm a calm so that the waves thereof are still” (Ps. 107:29). “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Ps. 107:8, 15, 21 31).

             Some of what is going on today reminds me of Peter in Matthew 14:25-32. When Peter obeyed the command of Christ, He walked on water and went to the Lord. When He saw the strong wind, and its ability, He was afraid and began to sink! Only the One who called Peter to Him could then save him from the elements of the world, and He did.

             Our problem is that we are so caught up in the “here and now” that we have forgotten about the “hereafter”? Let’s put our focus back on Christ. Let us obey His plan of salvation (Acts 2:38)! Let us stop doing things “our way” and do things “His way” for a change and see how our souls become calm in the midst of the turmoil!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167