I trust you are going well in lockdown. I find it amazing the number of articles out there instructing Christians on how to stay focused in these trying times. As a Christ-follower, staying focused should never enter your mind. I chuckled to learn that someone has brought a lawsuit against a governor because her restrictions on traveling around town mean he cannot see his girlfriend. Do you suppose this gentleman has to be told how to stay focused on his girlfriend? The fact that he is not allowed (by an executive order from his states’ governor) to travel within his town, that he will forget about her; I doubt that will be the case. I would imagine that the man is looking for, and finding, creative ways to stay in touch. In like manner, I would suspect that anyone with a relationship with Christ would do the same.
Please understand I am not criticizing those writing the articles; it just does not make sense that someone in love would need to be told by someone else how to stay in love.
A close personal relationship with the godhead is about being in love with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In his writings in the New Testament, the Apostle John talks about the focus of God the Holy Spirit. He states the Holy Spirit will teach the Christ-follower about God the Son. The Apostle John also states in, the New Testament book bearing his name, that the Holy Spirit will lead the Christ-follower, as well as guide him or her in the path that brings them close to God.
I understand why a pastor would write an article about staying focused in difficult times; a good shepherd will take care of his or her flock. However, a close personal relationship with God the Holy Spirit keeps the Christ-follower on track and in focus with the Lord.
It is my hope that this modern marvel of “social distancing” has enabled your eyes, ears, and heart to more clearly see, hear, and accept the presence of the Lord in your lives. What if God is using this time in world history, to brighten the light of his own? What if, the witness of the Christ-follower during this time, is the spark that ignites hope in the lives of hopeless people? What if, this very day, your witness of patience, or peace, or persistence, encourages someone in your world to change his or her life, and follow Jesus?