“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ― Ferris Bueller.
OK, that is not a Bible verse like we normally start with. But I received a communication on Tuesday from Weslaco’s Office of Emergency Management that reminded us there had been 1000 days of COVID operations in Weslaco. While there were days during that time that it felt like life was at a stand still, most of us are back to the fast-paced living that characterized our pre-covid life. Looking back, much of those 1000 days feel like a vague memory, almost like it never happened. I wonder if we might need to stop and look around to see what God has done and contemplate what God is doing in our midst?
I know when I have a headache I pray for and long for a day when my head is free of pain. Then when that day comes, I quickly forget to give thanks for my answered prayer and rarely celebrate my day without a headache. Instead, I move back to my fast-paced life and forget the gift of grace found in a pain-free head. When we’ve gone through family struggles, prayer dominated my landscape. But as we begin to rise out of the valley of the shadow of death we quickly fall back into the normalcy of life before the valley and often forget to give thanks for what God has brought us through.
Perhaps our daily scripture reading, meditation, and prayer time can be a way to stop and look around once in a while. Not to see the world like Ferris Bueller, but to see the world as God sees it. Giving thanks to the Father in everything and seeing his goodness and mercy that has followed us all the days of our lives.
In the end, the 1000th day of COVID is just another day. But taking the time to look back at where we’ve been can be a great way to remind ourselves that dwelling in the house of the Lord forever has already begun!
Psalm 23: 4-6 ESV
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Ray Sanchez is the Pastor of Administration and Worship at FBCW. His Fantasy Football Team is fighting for not last and he looks forward to firing all of his players in preparation for next year’s league. But looking back, the season of fellowship, podcasts and trash-talking has been a joy!