Proverbs 3:27-28Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"-- when you already have it with you. Do not allow social distancing to keep you from sharing the love of God! Here is how to be God's hand while social distancing and continue to love on people.
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Don't freak out-- it is not as scary as you think ;)My semester Bible study concluded, but our group leader invited us to create a break action plan to stay focused on our faith and prayer patterns through the semester break. In one of the prompts, the examination of conscience was mentioned. If you've ever asked me about the Catholic sacrament of confession, reconciliation, penance, etc., I can guarantee I've given you this answer:I have not gone since it was mandated in eighth grade because it makes me super uncomfortable (yes, from a place of pride, I'm working on it). I have not returned to the confessionals in the back of a church because I 100% believe that confession can be directly between me and God-- one of the awesome results of Jesus's death and resurrection is that we do not need a mediator between us and God! I can walk right into the throne room, climb up on my Heavenly Father's lap and we get to have a personal relationship! I also believe that the confession of sin is HUGELY important because sin separates me from God. No throne room, no personal relationship because our holy and perfect God CANNOT look on sin. But...As much as I say that ^^ ("No, I don't go to Confession, I do it privately at home"), I never do. Don't get me wrong, I pray and I talk to God and I ask Him to forgive my sins and I thank Him for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sins, but I do not confess my sins. (RE: yes, back to the pride issue). Meghan, get back to the "examination of conscience" thingyThe USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has developed what's called "an examination of conscience" as a prayer guide to search inside yourself and find if you have any sins to confess, sins that are keeping you from a fuller relationship with God. They have a lot that you can find over here on their website, but I chose the one that is based on the 10 Commandments because they are the raw, straight-from-the-Man-upstairs, instructions for living... what better to check myself with? DIVING INI love me a good interpretation and application of the Bible, don't get me wrong! But I also value the Bible as God's Word. I want to be sure that everything that I'm letting guide my spiritual life is rooted in His Word. I don't want to be at the pearly gates saying, "Hey, you know, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is such an amazing group. I confessed my sins just like they said!!" NO! I want to be at the pearly gates saying, "Hey God. I studied Your Word. I followed Your commandments. I confessed my sins so that I could have a personal relationship with You." So, once I read through this examination of conscience and was starting to feel the prickle of conviction, I knew it was time to see what GOD says about this. YouVersion Bible App helpful hintIn the wonderful world of 2020 technology, you can use the YouVersion Bible app and search the entire Bible! I searched the word "confess" and began my dive. If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 We can have confidence in the result of our confession! Therefore, CONFESS your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 How does one become a "righteous man"? Right up there in 1 John 1:9! If you want to support your friends and family, if you want to be present as a prayer warrior, you need to confess your sins! >You know how I said that our holy and perfect God can't look upon sin? Okay, don't be blaming God like "oh, you're God, if you really cared you could look upon sin!" #1. Can a vampire be in sunlight safely if they really try? No! It's just the way it is! (Don't rain on my analogy, I know it's spotty, but stay with me here...) #2. GOD DOES REALLY CARE!!! Yes, He cannot in His perfection look upon sin. BUT, He sent Jesus for our salvation EVEN WHEN we were still sinners!< This all means that even if you aren't here tryna be a prayer warrior, you're just tryna get right with the Lord, you STILL need to confess your sins, because if you are living in sin, how can God come be with you in a personal relationship? The prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much, but if you are living in sin, if you haven't accepted that Jesus Christ died and resurrected to cover YOU in His righteousness, you won't be successful at getting right with the Lord. If they CONFESS their iniquity... in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me... or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant... I will not reject them, nor will I abhor them as to destroy them... But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors... This is from Leviticus 26:40-42,44-45. That's right. Old Testament, dudes. So if it's not enough to hear it from the Church leaders in the New Testament letters, see this-- GOD HIMSELF is promising that if you confess your sins, if you can humble yourself (ding ding ding, key to solving my pride block), God will not hold your sins against you, but remember that YOU are His child, YOU are the recipient of all His covenant promises. The Bible says that God is gracious to forgive our sins. Once we confess them, the old is gone and the new has come. God forgives and, my dude, He FORGETS because He is just so ecstatic that His prodigal child came home. Don't get all huffy and be all "yeah, he says he forgets until he's mad at you then he magically remembers and throws it back in your face". God is so far beyond our expectations. Remember: He judges as GOD judges, not man. Humans are the ones that get petty and historical. But God HONESTLY, 100%, no loopholes, washes you clean of your sin. There is a God, and neither you or I is He, and thank the Lord for that.
So whether you go to confessionals or not, confess your sins to God. Lean into your trusted community and confess your struggles to them. Step forward because the new has come. And God is waiting for His child to come home. Know your limitsYou are allowed to eat or sleep rather than squeezing in that last bit of work. Allow yourself to set and respect personal boundariesFocus on your priorities when you say yes or no. Encouragement aboundsMusic, quotes, and more! Don't let yourself slip into a wallow. Surround yourself with quotes that spark something inside of you. Curate a playlist when that makes you feel on top of the world. And don't be afraid to face-lift your encouragement often! Reach outParents, friends, roommates... Sure, it might not be their job to "fix it", but ask them for their support! Cut yourself some slackEvery day does not have to be perfect, but motivate yourself towards the potential of the moments. Social distancing does not mean self-isolationHello, it is 2020. We have SO MUCH technology and media that we can use to stay connected. Almost every platform that you already use plus a bunch of others offer video chatting features. You can still safely go to your favorite places AND this is a great opportunity to scout for new places. Note from me...Hey readers. I wrote these before quarantine and stay-at-home regulations, but the draft fell into the "I'll do that later" category. The fact that there is a pandemic happening should not surprise anyone who calls yourself Christian. The world is broken! No, this disease is not by or from God, but you know what? God is still in control. He did not send it, but He allowed it (Job 1:12; Job 34:10). It is not from God, but He will work it to the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Even with this confidences, I still can't tell you WHY. But an idea?... Has your relationship with God become a "do that later"? Not ~religion of~ God, but a ~relationship with~ God. God is not oblivious to your grief, panic, anxiety, stress, overwhelm. Talk to Him. Sit with Him. Lean in, and know that we will all get through this. <3
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