Run After Me, Not Man
Turning My Page
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
I wasn’t feeling fearful of Covid-19 at first. After endless days of news updates, cancelations, empty store shelves, battling my own respiratory infection, and my kids home for the next two weeks, I am exhausted. This morning, I was challenged to spend five minutes meditating on the following question:
What things am I running after?
After spending an hour longing for those five minutes, but instead, working on chores, and assisting children with projects, I only found agitation and more exhaustion. All of those things were good but would not refresh my spirit. My mind, body, and spirit do exponentially better at responding to the needs of others when I put Christ first.
My husband very wisely stepped in and told the kids to steer all questions to him and give mom space to settle her spirit. He gave me a breathe. The Lord gave me a lesson.
I settled into my quiet-time chair and opened my Bible and journal. ” Holy Spirit guide my thoughts and help me to lean into your answer. ” This is God’s response:
Answers do not come from the news of today, but the good news of the gospel through my son Jesus. There is no anxiousness in me. Journey towards the eternal rather than the temporal. Calamity is an opportunity to shake off the agitation found in your attempts for short term security. Discover peace and calmness through the longterm practice of keeping your eyes fixed on me.
Covid-19 is temporary. Homeschooling my children is temporary. Shortages are temporary. Work changes are temporary. This life of trouble will come to an end. But the love and freedom of my salvation through Christ is eternal. The love of God is eternal, and his will is done along this short journey. Christ, I choose to run after the things that please you.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Turning Your Page
Fear is easy. It was the first feeling we experienced after the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. Fear is the consequence of knowing good and evil, but not having the omniscience to know what to do with either. What are you running to?
- Take five minutes to sit quietly and listen to God’s answer.
- Where do you spend the most time, scripture, or the news?
- What does scripture say about the source of your help in a crisis?
- Create a picture or collage of all the ways Jesus is currently loving you and helping you to remain calm.
Father, help my anxious thoughts. I confess I have not run to you, and my attitude shows it. Thank you for speaking to me and calming my spirit with the truth of your presence in hard circumstances. Amen
Beautiful…
Thank you Eva Marie.
Karisa, you shared honest feelings we all encounter from time to time and pointed us to the right response—fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Thanks Jeannie.
Well said Ms. Karisa. This world always seeks to disrupt our time in God’s world doesn’t it ma’am? Am glad you knew where to find His peace ma’am.
And I continue to find His peace as I intentionally seek him through scripture and quiet. That is the thing about fixing our eyes on Jesus. It isn’t a one and done habit. We must practice not looking away.
It’s easy to think we are secure amid our everyday routines and things. Keeping our eyes focused on Jesus is the way to keep peace in our hearts.
Yes, routines, established with or without God, get tested by crisis. It is an opportunity to stop fearing the waves.
My word for the year is “quiet” and it’s important that I remember I shouldn’t be running after anything but a peace-filled relationship with Christ. This world can get so noisy, even when I’m alone. Thank you for this post.
A great word. I am working on quiet as well.
Sometimes it’s the daily tasks that almost seem overwhelming, even when the big stuff (like coronavirus) is over us like a dark cloud. You are blessed to have a husband that knows you well enough to recognize when you need that “five minutes”. Thanks for reminding us what we need to be running toward Jesus and that other “stuff” will seem so much smaller.
Thank you Katherine.