As You Wait, Be Faithful, Not Fretful

Kim laughed when I called a paper facsimile she had made of herself a “paper doll.” She digitally produced a “Flat Mrs. Messinger” to give students as a reminder she was with them during this COVID19 isolation.

When I was a child, paper dolls were a standard for little girls. You cut out paper doll figures dressed in underwear out of a book with stiff pages. You also cut out various items of clothing to “dress” your dolls. The pieces had little tabs to fasten the clothes onto shoulders, hips and legs. We played for hours, fashioning outfits and creating dialogue among paper dolls. Evidently paper dolls have been replaced by “flat” figures. 

When I was a child, you made margarine by massaging a plastic bag with an orange button in the midst of a thick white creamy substance. You popped the button with your fingers, and worked the color through the substance. Today you buy four sticks of margarine in a box.

As a young mother, I taught Bible stories using flannel-graph figures. Today, teachers play animated videos.

Get the picture? The methods change but the products remain the same.

One thing that doesn’t change is God. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Have you noticed, the seasons never change? Spring, summer, fall, winter. We never doubt that seasons will continue. The hummingbirds just arrived in Millersburg--on schedule. Who established that process?

Have you noticed, the sun, moon and stars remain in orbit? Our ancient ancestors marveled at the same heavenly configurations we see. Night follows day. Full moons, blood moons, harvest moons, eclipses—all occur at expected times. Who created and governs the heavens?

Have you noticed, plant an acorn and up grows an oak. Unless a squirrel steals the acorn, of course. But you know what I mean. Who created such a process? A huge oak from a tiny seed. Amazing.

Since we know all that is true, we need not worry that God will be faithful through our current crisis. Yes, people are dying. Yes, people are in economic distress. But countries have survived plagues and epidemics. Societies have survived famines and depressions and recessions. God has a way to not only see us through but to bring good out of our turmoil. He is faithful.

A pastor friend of mine, William Niblette, posted a devotional on Psalms 88 and 89. Both are psalms written during Israel’s captivity in Babylon. In the first psalm, the writer moans about his troubles. In the second, the writer praises God for His faithfulness. And that should also be our focus. God is faithful, even when we are fretful.

Even though God from time to time turned his back on the Israelites, his chosen people, because they had turned away from Him, He always restored them, even from exile. God was faithful to His promises.

Back then, God sent prophets to remind people of who they were and Who He was. And God is not silent today. We have His Word, in plenty of translations—reminding us God is faithful. We have pastors preaching on social media not only Sundays but during the week—reminding us God is faithful.

We have His Spirit within us--inspiring hope. During Old Testament times, God’s Spirit came only on certain people at certain times. Now His Spirit lives within us, guiding us if we ask, teaching us if we listen, inspiring us as we open our minds to Him.

As my friend pointed out, we turn to God most earnestly during tough times. That alone is reason to be thankful. He has our attention. And we try much more earnestly to get His.

So do not despair. Do not give up hope. Do not dwell on statistics that weigh down your spirit. Like Flat Mrs. Messinger is with her students, God is with us. He is loving, kind and just. Read a psalm. Sing a hymn. Pray for the sick. Encourage the weary. God just may lead us to a better place. He is faithful.