Quiet Time in Midst of COVID-19 - LET'S REJOICE!!

Ezra 3:11 - “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

I was thinking about Ezra in relation to this stage of life we are currently in. The Israelites are toiling to rebuild the temple. Ezra 1-6 explains that they didn't necessarily have smooth sailing in this task. Actually, it was quite the opposite. However many challenges they faced in the rebuilding of the temple, with every victory small or large, they rejoiced. I want to be like the "rejoicers" in Ezra. This is a challenging time, but I've been convicted that in all honesty in this time I should not be bored, upset, or discouraged. I aim to be grateful and blessed and encouraged. (Even tho for me at times that’s REALLY hard) This pandemic has an end and it’s you & me being more intentional with our lives and more gracious to one another than we ever thought we might be. It ends with us truly learning what it means to count it ALL JOY and REJOICE always. It’s takes daily work and a daily submission to the cross but this trial the world is facing could become the greatest love or success or happy story our world is yet to see. Because nothing in their life last forever. Not even corona. The faithful love of the Lord, however, that endures forever. Think about what it would actually look like if we all started thanking the Lord for this time. Thanking Him for his better judgement. Praising him for the simplest of things. take it from our homies in Ezra - our praise should be louder than our fears because His voice should be the loudest one in our ears. So honestly thank you Jesus for this life and for this time because He wouldn’t have it unless it was to create something beautiful.