SO VERY CONCERNED

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

In the past couple of months, I’ve stayed pretty quiet about what is going on in our world today with the Coronavirus. I’ve chosen to stay quiet for multiple reasons. However, I feel that God wants me to speak up in a way that you might not expect in this post.

Prepare yourselves. This is what I’ve been convicted of lately.

I’m just going to be extremely honest with you here; I’m so very concerned. I’m concerned about how the majority of Christians, here in the U.S., have handled this virus and their time at home during the quarantine.  I think we have been selfish.

I mean, you can’t even get on Facebook or Instagram without seeing people commenting on someone else’s post about how they “feel” and what they “think”. The people of the Church are literally out here posting the new and updated numbers of how many are infected every single day just to keep everyone informed.

Guys! You and I need Jesus whether the numbers went up or down yesterday! If you really feel the need to “update” people, then why in the world aren’t you informing them about the Gospel?

Wake up Church! Yes, I absolutely believe that we should have the freedom to do and say as we please. I’m not saying that we should just throw that out the window and forget about it. But Jesus offers us the ultimate freedom, and people out there need to hear about that way more than they need to hear about how you are “feeling” and what you “think” about this whole thing.

If there is one quote that the Church has proven true during this time, it’s this one… “What are you going to do when you get to eternity, if you can’t stick in an hour with God down here? What are you going to do in a million years in God’s presence? Expect some reports from earth about football or something?” – Leonard Ravenhill

I don’t think we’re actually ready for eternity. I don’t know if Jesus is really enough for people when I see that all they want to do is get back to normal, sitting in a pew, “church”.

This virus has made me realize, more than ever before, that we have a much better friendship with the world than we like to claim. Myself included.

James 4:4-6 says, “You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit He made to dwell in us envies intensely? But He gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

If there is one thing in life that I don’t want to be, that I’m even scared to be, it is a proud person. I’ve seen how pride can totally ruin people. I’ve seen firsthand how it can change a person’s thoughts and mind to focus on nothing except that which is inward.

James says that God resists proud people, but that He gives grace to those who are humble. Oh Church, why can’t we be humble to the things of this world?

God wants to use us right now, if only we would open our hearts and minds to the Lord and deny ourselves. I’m concerned for the Christians who aren’t ready today.

We’re wasting precious time when we are spending time only on ourselves. The Gospel is what needs to be on Instagram. Your testimony is what should be on Facebook; not your opinions and feelings. Those are fleeting and often reflect your friendship with the world.

“If we are going to share our feelings, why aren’t they about what Jesus has done for us on the cross and how it impacts every decision we make; every conversation we have; every moment of our existence?  Or could it be that the things of the world, our normal, have been given a more important place in our daily life than what Jesus did for us?” – Scott Hobbs

Be the leader who will lead “The Few” around you to fight for the Gospel. For the ultimate freedom.

I’m concerned over people’s desperate need for Jesus, and I hope you are too.

“I’m embarrassed to be part of the Church of Jesus today, because I believe it’s an embarrassment to a holy God. Most of our joy is clapping our hands and having a good time, and then afterwards we’re talking all the dribble of the world. Oh, to be lost in Him, to be consumed in Him.” – Leonard Ravenhill

I want people to expect Jesus out of me no matter what I’m doing or where I’m at. The Gospel has changed me, and it affects everything I do.

SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= Would you say that you have a friendship with the world?

= Is it even possible to be consumed by Jesus? How?

= What are you going to do differently?