History repeats itself because we are slow to learn…<3
Hey all!
One of my projects this month is going through the collection of journals and Bible studies that I have been keeping in tubs in my new “office.”
Every time Russ tells me I should write a book, I remind him I have written several…they are just all tucked inside these little spiral notebooks and assorted scraps of paper that have accumulated over the years.
Ha!
I am jotting notes as I go back through so many words gathered and I found this gem written by John Piper back in 2010.
Apparently we had a recession going that must have been causing people no small amount of concern and worry and anxiety.
I found his words to be quite applicable to our current setting.
Just substitute any of the new anxiety producing buzzwords…pandemic, shut down, national debt, political drama, remote learning…you can choose your topic or mix several together.
Here is the wisdom I took down in note/paraphrase form from his “What is the Recession for?” back in what was May 2010.
- To expose hidden sin and to bring us to repentance and cleansing.
- To wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world, where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.
- To relocate the roots of our JOY in His grace rather than our goods – in His mercy rather than our money – in His worth rather than our wealth.
- To advance His saving mission in the world – the spread of the Gospel and the growth of His church – precisely at a time when human resources are the least able to support it.
- To bring His church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.
- To really know that nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37)
- He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)
- The Great Commission still stands and God has not abandoned us (Matthew 28:20)
Well.
It would appear we didn’t learn a whole lot in 2010. Let’s not miss the opportunity to really learn this lesson well in 2020 so we don’t have to move on to the next level of discipline.
You and I are only responsible for how we respond. We are His Church if we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Come on Church, let’s learn and grow and act like the people we are called to be for His Kingdom <3
Read back through that list and let’s pray for God to convict our hearts and be changed and transformed in this season.
When someone asks us, “Why 2020?”… Let’s have a good answer.
We know that whatever has happened has been under the permissive will of God to move us closer to Him.
What a blessing it is to receive conviction and be motivated to become more Christ like <3