May 11
DebDay 58: We Don't Know What to Do
As of sometime last week, our State was told we can now meet in groups of 20. Or 50. I can't remember. A moving target it seems.
The prospect of our church meeting, but maintaining social distance from each other sounds problematic, if not chaotic. I can only imagine what the parents of littles are thinking. It's hard enough to manage our kids on Sundays, let alone tell them they can't go across the room.
For that matter, managing our extroverts will look similar.
Full disclosure. I have never, in my life, felt so inadequate as a leader.
I am living in the quandary of knowing that whatever I think or suggest will likely be wrong. Be cautious? Be daring? How to get us all to agree?
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is faced with looking down the barrels of an invading consortium of armies. He knows he's outnumbered and under gunned.
In the last part of verse 12 he says, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
Looking at the opposing armies didn't help. Looking to the false gods the previous generations had wrongly worshiped didn't help.
So he prays the truth of his situation. And God delivers them.
While his parents gave him perhaps an unfortunate name (who would give their kid a name that has the word "fat" in it?) Jehoshaphat's prayer has become my prayer.
I don't know what to do.
My eyes are on you.
But, (and there's always a 'but') while Jehoshaphat did see his nation remain intact, and while he did finish out his reign somewhat successfully, a little phrase in verse 33 reveals a sad something.
"The people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers."
They had all enjoyed the benefits of God's short-term protection. They had gladly given a portion of their hearts to God. But they were not wholly devoted. They had become comfortable with split loyalties.
We want this home detention to end. We want to gather together without restrictions. We want to get back to normal.
And we may be content to be satiated with data, in the absence of devotion.
I sense the Lord's been patient, waiting for us to pray.
"We don't know what to do."
"Our eyes are on You."
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
