LENT:day 23: Jesus says YES to learning

Isaiah 30:20-21 TPT

Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, he himself will be there with you. He will NOT hide himself from you for your eyes will constantly see Him as your TEACHER. When your turn to the right or turn to the left you will hear his voice behind you , to guide you saying – this is the right path , FOLLOW IT.

I can just bet every single person reading this has learned at least one new skill in the last 7 days. Not necessarily because you wanted to.. but because it has become a necessary survival skill. Many are learning how to work from home. Parents are learning how to teach their children – many balancing work and teaching. Teachers are learning how to teach virtually and create content to effectively communicate their message. Churches, businesses, restaurants have all been forced to pivot in their processes to continue sharing their messages and their products. For many it is shift or die. Learning has become a must.

I too have spent a chunk of time on phone calls, and zoom meetings as I transition my business to 100% virtual based as well as a bible study I help lead. We have discussed techniques and strategies to help us not only survive this season but to thrive in it. I have brainstormed with peers on voxer and text messages. I have listened to podcasts and read blogs about how best to navigate. It has been both exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I believe many of our brains that have been on auto pilot have woken up. To be honest … despite the daily challenges we encounter.. I have to admit part of me is pretty darn excited about the whole thing. And I think God is too.

Ok ok.. no … I do not think that our faithful, loving father delights in our suffering. I do believe he promises to show us his ultimate comfort in these times. I don’t think he enjoys our struggle.. but he does promise to show us the way through them. Way back in Isaiah – the book of the bible with the most prophecies of the coming Messiah Jesus, he gives us a picture of the both our roles and his when adversity hits.

First – we must acknowledge that God is fully aware and was fully aware of the season we are in. and he is allowing us to walk through it. He has the power to stop this virus today… but he is allowing it and us to run its course – and I believe learn some important lessons along the way. Isaiah 30:20 states – EVEN THOUGH THE LORD MAY ALLOW YOU TO GO THROUGH A SEASON OF HARDSHIP..

Second – OUR ROLE: We are to GO THROUGH – not stop, not hide, not pretend like nothing is wrong… and as we walk we are to LISTEN and to LOOK…. listen to our guide, Look to our worthy leader and TEACHER….because

THIRD – GOD’S ROLE: His role is to be with us and TEACH us….” HE HIMSELF WILL BE THERE WITH YOU, HE WILL NOT HIDE HIMSELF FROM YOU – FOR YOUR EYES WILL CONSTANTLY SEE HIM AS YOUR TEACHER – WHEN YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE _ BEHIND YOU – TO GUIDE YOU SAYING THIS IS RIGHT PATH – FOLLOW IT.

When I was in college one of my professors said the greatest tools to prevent burnout and discontent in our future careers was to willingly participate in advance learning – by attending conferences, reading books, pursuing excellence through education in our profession or craft. Friends – I believe this can be one of the most exciting seasons of our lives. I believe we will be smarter on the other side. I believe we can eliminate much of our stress if we embrace the truth that God has put us each in a classroom, where he promises to show up and provide the wisdom we need. Pray for it . Look for it. Listen to it. The questions about how to take your business to the next level, better impact your students, share the gospel to the unchurced, understand your children, love your spouse.. they’re about to be answered as we participate in this laboratory called LIFE. Will we have days of frustration when the answers feel fuzzy and far away? – yes. Will we want to plop ourselves and our children in front of movies all day to escape? – yes. Do we have a loving God, a TEACHER we can trust that will invite us back into his classroom, his path for our lives and tell us which way to go? 1000% yes.

Friends – I hear the class bell ringing. Lets go.

Loving where you are and pointing you forward to where HE is,

justbeth:)