I am burdened to write this letter concerning our current common affliction. We are facing an unprecedented time of urgency, yet I am afraid the focus of our attention has been misplaced upon our circumstantial situation rather than our most obvious resource. I am amazed at the calls I have received in utter panic as to what we should be doing right now. Because of this I have decided to share my heart with you all.

It is said that crisis never develops character–it only reveals whatever character has already been established. The word, “established” is particularly relevant here because it means “to put into place or practice something that is permanent in motion.” Said another way, this particular moment in our history is only revealing habits and lifestyles, as well as what we truly believe in our heart-of-hearts. So we must ask ourselves: As we are being squeezed…is it faith or fear that is being expressed?

If it is fear, be honest! Praise God for His divine interruption in your life! He is able to transform fear into faith. The problem with human nature is that we would sometimes rather hide in our fear, and deny its severity. But the truth is, when we do not confront our truest selves in the presence of God in order to deal honestly with our fear, we are likely to take in its children…Disobedience and Unbelief as well!

Fear at its very core is mistrusting God’s goodness, His love and His capacity to work on our behalf. If we do not tackle this head-on, we are apt to try and solve our own problems in our own wisdom, and in our own strength. This is not wise; and definitely not a good testimony for those outside.

I have heard that there are those among us who profess to be of the household of faith, yet are living as though there is no Provider! This should not be so! The current financial situation can not be countered by hoarding and stockpiling, or taking extravagant measures in ensuring security! The Word of God tells us that when we do such things we are in danger of losing even what we think we have! (Luke 12:16-21, Luke 12:33, James 1:27, Matthew 25:14-30) There are principles governing prosperity that are given by the mouth of God. (Malachi 2:8-12) Tithing, stewardship, and generosity are a way that the heart can learn to trust Him and the hand can be disciplined in order to distribute His wealth. Remember it is all His anyway! I promise, we will not be put to shame if we trust God on this point. We will not be seen begging bread either. (Psalm 37:35-26)

Yes, some of us are losing homes, or jobs. (Remember Job, Daniel, Joseph, and John to name a few who suffered likewise) For some of us, this is a course correction, for others it is something else. However, if we are willing, either way we will see God’s provision in the midst of our greatest need. Remember, our stories are still being written! God is after our wholeness, and He is relentless. He is not pacified with half-hearted followers who serve Him as is convenient. He desires All-in, no plan B disciples who are yielded to the transformation process. If we are truly His, we must remember He will not settle until we are wholly His.

Often times we really have no idea what we are lacking until the time of our testing. Many of us have faced these trials in previous times and can boldly testify to the goodness of God that we experienced. (Luke 21: 10-19, Psalm 139:23-24) Do not lose heart! Do not lose faith! God sees. God is still with us! His plan is being perfected even as we speak.

These are serious times, but they should not be taking us by surprise. There are hard decisions to be made, but we, who have been so richly blessed, should also be amply equipped. Why are we living as though we were never going to be tested? As I have already said… what we are experiencing is a common affliction. It is found in all places; it is global, nondenominational, interracial, secular and sacred. It is a real situation with real consequences. However the principles for a faithful covenant with our Creator still apply!

If we claim that Jesus is all we need, but have peace only in the absence of conflict– what difference is there between us and the world? And if we only experience joy in the abundance of our provision and comfort, why would the world stop to ask us what the hope is within us? I am sorry if this is brand new information…but suffering is a part of the “Life-on-Earth-package!” Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you. These are not my words, but His Word. We will all suffer…either we will suffer justly—or unjustly. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

The “Serenity Prayer” is a beautiful example of learning to discern between the parts of life we are responsible for, and what part we need to trust God for. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Oh how I wish this were a common exercise! It is said that 100% of Life can be divided into two parts: 10% is the “stuff” that happens to us-and the remaining 90% is how we handle the 10%! We are not responsible for the 10% what happens to us…but we will certainly be held accountable for the 90% of how we respond!

WAKE UP! Christians! There has never been a greater time to get real with God! He is so patient with us. His grace and mercy are ready to make our miserable mistakes into majestic masterpieces! But we need to be honest with where we really are right now. Let this crisis shine the light brightly on the true state of our relationship with Him…and with others.

REPENT! If need be. Things are not going to get better with a change directive from any political system. It is our God who is Sovereign! He is setting the stage for a change so swift and certain; it is likened to the coming of a thief in the night. (2 Peter 3:10-18, Matthew 24:36-51, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Revelation 3:3) But we, who are His, do not need to be taken so unawares…we should experience this unstoppable event more like the pregnant woman in labor, than as the thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) A pregnant woman knows her time is soon to come. She is ready. She is prepared.

RESPOND! My encouragement, and my hope, is found solely in the Word of God. These Scriptures I have listed for you are life! I am praying more fervently than ever for the household of faith. We are in a very critical time! (Luke 21:34-36, 2Thessalonians 2:1-12) We need to watch and pray lest we fall into the same temptations towards sin and self, as the world. The comfort and convenience of compromise is always just one decision away. Keep company with those who will hold up truth like a mirror. We need the wounds of a true friend more than the flattery of pretense.

Those who claim they do not need to self-examine their own hearts are easily deceived by their own confidence. The Word provokes us to continually test our own hearts to see if we are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5-7, 2 Corinthians2:9, 2Corinthians8:8, 1Corinthians3:13, Romans 12:2. James 4:1, Galatians 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:21) It is not a matter of “loosing our salvation,” It is a matter of obedience which verifies our love is genuine. (John 14:15-18)

I am writing to you who are living all across this great country where our freedoms have given us both a license to sin…as well as the liberty to worship our God as we choose. The time is now passed to keep private our personal belief system. This is spiritual Spring Cleaning! Get rid of the snares that stumble and the thorns that choke out the truth! Be ready! Be watchful! Be available to live out what God had poured in!

And if by chance you find yourself standing with a very shiny, (but empty) oil lamp….( Matthew 25:1-13) Praise God the call has not yet sounded that the Bridegroom has come! So go! Go out and buy what is real, what is pure and what is genuine, that the day will not take you unawares.

Read the Word. Not for memorization—but transformation!  Let the Word of God pour into your heart, mind and soul. Obey what you hear. There are no shortcuts to holiness. It is hard, but keep pressing on. Pray! Nothing is too big, or too little! It is the communion with our Father that pleases Him. He is with you…will you be with Him?

No matter what—We Are In This Together!!!!!!!! We may stand alone in our decisions, but we stand together in the household of faith. Remember the community suffers alongside us. We really do need each other to be genuine and transparent. It is scary to be vulnerable, but the consequence of self-protection is just too high.

I am being vulnerable in sending this out, but the conviction in my soul must also trust God with how this is received. I am not perfect, and I struggle too, but I know as sure as I live and breathe, we had better raise the standard we see displayed before us to a lost and dying world. Will you stand with me?