I was recently doing laundry at a friend’s home. She showed me how her washing machine works and after that, I got things underway. Now normally washing machines effortlessly go from one part of the cycle to the next until it’s finished, but once the machine got filled up with water, nothing happened.
I alerted my friend that I didn’t hear the cycle change so we went to investigate. It turned out that sometimes her machine (for now apparent reason) will not move on to the next cycle unless you press the START button a second time. After that, it’s groovy gravy. (And yes, I did just say that!)
This got me thinking about how 2020 has been a lot like that moment with the stalled washing machine. We began thinking that things would just roll along as they usually do until… COVID19. Now we find ourselves stuck in a cycle that we desperately want to get out of but we must restart to move on.
Masks or no masks at all. Schools open then shut down. Businesses go on lockdown then open up only to go back on lockdown again. The Government increases unemployment benefits but then stalls on a stimulus package. The General Election is over and there appears to be a new administration on the horizon, yet the current Administration will not concede, thereby impeding the peaceful transition of power. In the words of Marvin Gaye, “makes me wanna holla and throw up both my hands.”
I submit to you that it’s time to admit that what we’re doing is simply not working. But moreover, I submit to you Followers of Christ (not just Christians), that we’ve been given the answer to an open-book test. The Word of God is not just a great book to read in your spare time. It actually has keys in it to unlock the door to solving a lot of our problems.
While several scriptures come to my mind, one stands out loud and clear in this strange era. So if we ever hope to turn things around in this world, we’d better listen and learn to apply it liberally:
“If my people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
It’s important to note that God was speaking to King Solomon during a time when things were going well in the land of Israel. Solomon had just completed the building and dedication of The Temple of God as well as his own palace. Afterward, he took a moment to reflect and rest. Then during the night, God spoke to him. Because Solomon had demonstrated his trust in God and his obedience, God gave him a covenant promise.
Whenever the Kingdom of Israel found themselves in trouble, even due to their own disobedience, all they had to do to turn failure into favor was adhere to the four principles of that covenant promise:
Humble yourself before God
Pray
Seek God’s face
Turn from your own wickedness
Bouncing between wickedness and righteousness is not just a longstanding American issue, it’s an issue of the human condition all over this world.
I believe this is how we get stuck in crisis mode. And whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not, it doesn’t take much to realize that we are collectively in deep trouble. The question is, what are we willing to do about it?
I happen to believe in God. I am a genuine Follower of Christ. By no means perfect, just willing to allow The Holy Spirit to help me to improve each day. I fail, I fall, I repent, and I get back in the game. But I cannot be serious about taking this stance unless I am willing to live in the truth, not in denial. And how do I do that? See the previously mentioned four principles.
Want to bring this current crazy cycle to a close? Don't we all!
Let’s press that proverbial START button... again.
Please and thank you. :)
