If Ever There were a Time

The whole world’s gone crazy, and evidently, it was a short trip!

Yesterday, on the way home, I stopped by the store, and yes, I did it. I bought toilet paper! Entire shelves were bare. People were snatching up what was left. Some were calm. Some, not so much. As I walked to the register, some nodded in approval. One actually said, “You’re one of those?!” (People who use the restroom, I guess.) The cashier smiled like they were in on my sly ploy.

People have literally gone crazy! And, this is just scratching the surface. Cancellations, accusations, overblown news stories or underreporting (who knows!?), political fighting — sheer chaos is brewing.

I put my guilty purchase away, ate supper, and thought,

If ever there were a time…

If ever there were a time for the churches to be full, surely it is now! This is the time to gather in comfort, in faith, and in resolve. This is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder and praise the true Hope we have — a Hope that hasn’t changed and is not diminished! We are stronger together. We are better together. Satan’s plan has always been to separate and isolate. Well, not today, Satan! Let the church brim over. If ever there were time for the church to be full, surely it is now.

If ever there were time for our Bibles to be open, surely it is now! The voice we need to hear is not that of our President, not the TV doctors, not even the CDC. The voice we need to hear is God’s (and, yes, He is still speaking!) God’s Word will tell us what to expect, how to react, and where our peace will be found. God’s Word will comfort, guide, and cheer. As chaos ensues, we need to hear from God. If ever there were a time for our Bibles to be open, surely it is now.

If ever there were a time to be found in prayer, surely it is now! God says, the “fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). God says to “ask and you shall receive” (John 16:24). God is mighty, and available in prayer are all the resources of God. As the shelves of our human resources fall bare, we should turn to God in prayer as never before. Let us pray in groups and as individuals. Let us pray in offices and store aisles. If ever there were a time to be found in prayer, surely it is now.

If ever there were a time to be kind to one another, surely it is now! Maybe you find it difficult not to get swept up in panic and prepping for the worst, and you find yourself being selfish and greedy. Or maybe you struggle with being angry or resentful at people who worry and prepare for the worst, and you make jokes at their expense. God says that the world will know us by our love (John 13:35). What if we stood out during a time of ugliness and blaming as a people who love? What if we went out of our way to be kind to others during a time of uncertainty? As we carry the name of Christ in this dark world, may we actually be light! If ever there were a time to be kind to one another, surely it is now.

If ever there were a time to trust in Jesus, surely it is now! The world has gone crazy. God’s promise is that it will get worse. Be sure, our only hope is in Jesus our Savior. If you have never trusted in Jesus, see this as a sign — it’s time! He will forgive you. He will save you. It’s what He does.

If you are a believer, the call never changes. Our only hope is still in Jesus. Trust Him. Look to Him. Tell others — calmly — of Him. The Light shines brightest in the darkness!

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” — Jesus