Our annual destination was always the same— Kiawah Island, South Carolina. In my eyes, it was absolute paradise. The days were carefree, filled with sea water and sunshine. It may sound strange, but I always felt closer to God with my feet in the sand. Every night was an endless feast, welcomed after a day of playing hard with my cousins.

​Kiawah is what I’m reminded of when I read God’s description of the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 11. Through Moses, God tells the people of Israel that the land they’re about to enter into isn’t anything like the land they just came out of (Egypt). Instead of laboring to produce everything themselves, He would provide for their every need. Their job was simply to trust God and put Him first.
 
It didn’t take long for the people to fail on their end of the bargain...
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When I was 15, my family fell apart and, with it, my general belief that God was good and He was for me. I was left with a lot of questions and not a lot of great advice, much like our friend, Job, in this week’s reading.
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In two short chapters we watch Job’s life fall apart— his family, his wealth, and his health. Job wrestled to reconcile God’s justice with his own personal suffering, because it’s clear he had done nothing wrong. We read in Job 1:8 that Job was “a man of perfect integrity, who [feared] God.” Job’s story challenges Western ideas that are basically “Christian karma”— that if we’re good, God will be good to us, and if we’re experiencing suffering it’s because of something wrong we did.
 
The mental anguish revealed in the subsequent dialogue is not grief over loss of Job’s possessions, rather grief over his perceived abandonment by God...
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However, there is one thing that can ruin that good feeling quickly: coffee grounds.
 
It’s amazing to think those beloved beans that make such a glorious concoction can also create quite the ruckus in my mouth. Who has ever wanted to chew their coffee? Certainly not me. No thank you. This is why it is so important to use the right filter.

​When I think about it, the key to enjoying both my coffee and my life in peace aren’t all that different. Pleasant coffee and a pleasant mindset both require the same thing: good filters.
 
In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul is dishing out some practical advice to new believers—specifically, how to live in peace...
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​This is a word for Christian leaders. (We are all, in some capacity, leaders.)
 
Today, my Bible reading was in Isaiah, chapters 6 and 9. There are so many observations to make— from the timing of Isaiah’s call to ministry, to the posture of the seraphim (angels), to the promise of the Messiah’s coming. Despite prophesying Israel’s fall and God’s coming judgement, Isaiah’s words are rich with God’s holiness and goodness.

​However, there is a verse that caught my attention above the rest— “The leaders of the people misled them, and those they misled are swallowed up.” Isaiah 9:14
 
If you don’t know Israel’s story well and you’re wondering how they got from the Promised Land to destruction and exile. The roots of their judgment go all the way back to 1 Samuel. The people begged God for a king, so they could be like all the other surrounding nations. God advised against their request, yet they persisted, and God gave them over to their desire.
 
Because they looked to human (fallen, sinful) men to lead them, instead of a perfect and holy God, they were led into sin themselves. The people who had been delivered out of Egypt and into the Promised Land forsook the One who called them.
 
Now, you may read Isaiah’s proclamation of judgment and view God as harsh, but keep in mind this was not the first warning given to Israel. Over and over again, leading up to this point the prophets have warned of the need to rend their hearts, repent, and return to the Lord—or face inevitable discipline.
 
The people did not listen. They gave themselves over to the sin of apostasy. And here, in Isaiah 9, the prophet delivers a strong rebuke aimed at Israel’s leadership: Instead of leading the people to follow and worship God, they led them to follow and worship other gods and even themselves. Because of their reckless leadership, now the people would be “swallowed up" in destruction.
 
Whether we lead only our children, or a small group, or small business, or an entire church or other ministry, this  word applies to us. Who or what are you leading the people God has entrusted to you to follow and worship? 
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​As leaders, we will make mistakes. We’re human. God already knows that. The wonderful thing about our God is He delights in using “jars of clay” to allow His light to shine. When we repent, He responds— forgiving us and helping us move forward in obedience.
 
I would love to say “it’s never too late,” but the Bible makes it clear there will come a time when it will be. God says, on that day, those of us He has entrusted with leadership positions will be judged more severely (James 3:1). In that day, will your people stand before God, arms lifted high in worship? Or on that day, will they be swallowed up in destruction?

Jesus left us with this one command— to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Not disciples of ourselves, or any other created thing, but disciples of the Creator.

Let us lead in humility, truth, and in action so that others may know Him.

With Love,

​Case in point: Exodus 12 is the first time Moses addresses the entire community of Israel as a congregation, a united people. In this inaugural address, do you know what he tells them to do?

1. Select a lamb or goat from among their flock and bring it into the house to live with them for a while
2. Kill said lamb or goat
3. Spread its blood over the doorposts of the home
4. Cook and eat the flesh

 
Then, and only then, would they be saved from God’s wrath about to be poured out on the Egyptians. And this event wasn’t just meant to be a one-time ordeal, God told them to observe “Passover” indefinitely, in the first month of each year.
 
So what is the deal with all of the blood in the Bible?...
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It has been a month, y’all. My husband has been out of town for work, and I’ve been juggling all the ins and outs of single parenting during a literal world-wide outbreak (while launching a nonprofit).  WHEW.

Add to the fun: a trip to the emergency room with my 6-year-old (of all times!) after she nailed her head on the corner of a kitchen cabinet. Fun times. (She is doing fine now, BTW.)

Yesterday, when our county announced they will be closing schools due to COVID-19, effective Monday, the enormity of the situation we’re in fell on me heavily. 

I must admit, until quite recently I was one of “those” people. Who joked. Who complained. And (worst of all), judged actions I deemed “extreme and unnecessary.”

As He usually does, the Holy Spirit dropped in to convict and course correct. He helped me begin to see things from a broader perspective, and He pulled back the curtain on the source of my frustration: the need to feel control over the situation.

But the truth is I’m not in control. You aren’t either. And that’s a good thing. 
HE is in control. We don’t have to stress or fear because our lives are never outside of His hands.

So, if we can’t control everything, what is our job right now? Most of us have never experienced anything like this before. What does following Jesus look like during this season?

Today, I’m going to share a few things our family is doing from a Biblical perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic:

We're learning to love our neighbors better, and submit to governing authorities. 
As Christians--Christ-followers—Christ commands (not recommends) that we put our neighbors first. That means setting aside our plans and preferences when it comes to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of others. We are to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

• If I needed urgent care for my husband, child, parent, or grandparent, I would want to be able to access it without delay.

• If I needed food, diapers, toilet paper, and soap I would want there to be some on the shelves.
• If I were elderly or my immune system were compromised, I would want someone to go pick up my groceries.
• If I had to be shut in, I would want people to Facetime, call, and text to check in.

These are just a few of the things I’m thinking about as we ride out this big, uncertain wave. As a mom of three germ factories- err, young kids, I’m choosing to abide by the recommendations of the government and CDC and stay in. This choice is not out of fear for what we might catch, but concern for what we may spread. Jesus protected the vulnerable, and we should too. 

(For more on this topic, check out this wonderful article by Andy Crouch.)

We're stepping up our prayer game.
After being called out (thanks Holy Spirit) on my initial stinky attitude, I decided this: every time I am tempted to complain about the situation, I’m going to pray about it instead.

As I said on social media yesterday: Science is real. Germs are real. Pandemics are real. But God is also real. He made the sun stand still, the seas part, and donkeys talk. He controls it all.

Now is the time to lift our voices and cry out for help in our time of need. Yes, we need to do our part by using wisdom to protect the most vulnerable among us, but we also need to ask for His mighty hand to intervene.

Psalm 50:15 says, “...call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Our bold prayers honor God.

It’s time to pray...

For our government.
For our healthcare workers.
For the elderly.
For the media.

Will you join me in lifting our collective voices to the heavens today?


We're walking in wisdom, not fear.
We are doing what is within our control (washing our hands, and practicing social distancing), and trusting God with what is not. 

It’s obvious God cares about our health (hello, Levitical law). He has given us an entire book of wisdom, and expects us to walk in it. 

Remember that through wisdom and action, Joseph saved an entire nation from obliteration (Genesis 41). He could have disregarded God’s instructions in the name of “faith”, but the results likely would have been devastating. We cannot excuse reckless behavior, then blame the results on “God’s will.”

That being said...

• We bought groceries for two weeks, not ten.
• We have talked to our kids about good hygiene, but aren’t stalking them every second.
• We have declined large-scale gatherings, but are not completely isolating.
• We have “cut the fat” in our expenditures, but haven’t stopped giving.

We are choosing faith over fear.

We believe in a God who protects and provides. So we are taking any and all anxiety to Him, and picking up His peace instead (1 Peter 5:7). Knowing God is for us and never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5) gives us peace that passes all understanding— a peace no amount of preparation can give (Philippians 4:7).

We’re doing our part, and trusting that God is doing His. 


We're seeking out safe ways to stay connected.
I stand by the actions of government, schools, organizations, businesses, churches, and others who are taking every precaution to “flatten the curve.” I don't believe for one second that it demonstrates fear, or a lack of faith. 

But while large-scale meetings simply aren’t going to be wise in the coming days, I believe we need to be more intentional and creative than ever before about authentic connection. With every passing year, I am more convinced than ever that community is crucial to our joy, our spiritual growth, and our sense of belonging. 

Here are some ways I’m being intentional:

• I’m continuing to open my home to my small group (less than ten individuals), which meets once a week. However, adding precautionary measures such as disinfecting before and after, and providing individually wrapped snacks and drinks.
• I’m Facetiming and messaging elderly loved ones in our family.
• I’m using my phone to make phone calls to friends. Imagine that. There something about hearing someone’s voice on the other end.​
• I’m making a point to “attend” church online, where I can come together (albeit virtually) with other believers.

 At this point, her love notes grace nearly every room of our home. She lavishes her love on every resident, even down to the smallest pet— my sister’s cat (who, unfortunately, doesn’t return the sentiment).
 
Everywhere I turn, little red hearts and those three simple words remind me how my daughter feels about me, her Mama. Y’all most days I feel like I’m failing, and yet she is enamored.
 
My printer paper stash is empty, but my heart is full.
 
The truth is, friends, whether married, single, or “it’s complicated,” we all have a not-so-secret Admirer this Valentine’s Day. 

Now, you’re probably thinking, I know where this is going, as you hover over your browser’s back button. But if that’s you, I dare you to hear me out…
 
You see,  I’m the kind of girl who grew up wondering if she was noticed. I’m the kind of girl who grew up wondering how God felt about her. And I’m the kind of girl who grew up wondering if she was even worthy of taking up space on this earth.
 
And now I can’t help but wonder if you are the kind of gal who wonders the same things?
 
Even though I went to church, served God with all my energy, and said I believed He loved me, deep down I felt that love was contingent on me doing everything perfectly.
 

• I read my Bible and only saw a never-ending list of areas I was falling short, and completely missed the love notes God had tucked within the pages. 

• I shrugged off the encouragement He sent through friends, and took for granted the gifts he left at my doorstep. 
  

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• I looked right past a thousand sunrises He painted with me in mind, and dubbed what could only be His intervention as “coincidences.”

P.S.  No matter how long you've been a Christian, we all need reminders of God's love for us. God's love energizes us, gives us confidence, and calls us home when we are lost.

I created a FREE download for you this week— "love notes" filled with scripture to help you meditate on God's love. Simply print, cut, and place around your house for ongoing encouragement! Click below for an instant download, no strings attached.