Fighting for Freedom

No, this isn't about what is happening in our country right now with the rioting, looting, and violence in many cities due to the death of a black man in Minneapolis.

This is Chapter 2 in the study of Galatians.

Wilderness University.  That is an interesting title for this section of the chapter.

Galatians 2:1  Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem; this time with Barnabas.  I took Titus along also.

Joyce calls it this because Paul was away for 14 years.  She cites other examples in the Bible when separation also occurs. Joseph.  Moses.

For me I haven't really been separated from others for a time period.  Growing up.  College.  Teaching.  Summer sessions for my masters.  When the girls were at home, all the time in the summer with 4-H.  Moving to Ivy Tech and teaching all summer sessions.  Even after the second retirement I was never separated from others for a long period of time.

But now?  Interesting.

During these times it's easy to think we are in the wrong place because it's not a place of comfort for us, but more often than not we are exactly where God wants us.  When God prepares something for us, then He has to prepare us for it.

There have been suggestions that the past three months have been a plot in our government to control us.  There has been a suggestion that the Chinese planned this and implemented the pandemic while the United States was distracted with the impeachment procedings.

But there is an even stronger suggestion that this is all part of God's plan (and I belief that it is because nothing happens to us without it being part of God's plan). Landon and I discussed this the other day as well.

Maybe we needed time to unwind, to relax, to step back from everything that stresses us in our lives.  Working.  Schedules.  Time.  Money.

Maybe we needed to focus more on family and the people that are closest and mean the most to us.

Maybe the need to move church services to online versions have been the vehicle to bring more people to Christ.  I know that Gary and I have been more faithful in attending services and participating in communion during the last 10 weeks.

When I say people are often hidden, that doesn't mean they are totally alone, but that they are not known by large numbers of people and are not doing great things as far as the world can see.  But doing a small thing faithfully and in secret is a great thing to God.

Gary and I have both seen leaps and bounds type of improvements in both Owen's and Lynnlee's speech and their growth as toddlers.  Well, Owen isn't really a toddler, but he is 4.  We really think this time at home their folks, this more relaxed schedule, and the relaxed atmosphere has worked wonders with them.


If you have a dream in your heart and feel invisible, as though no one knows you or cares who you are, don't despair.  Let God use this time to teach you and draw you closer to Him.  While you are waiting, do anything He asks you to do without concern about how small it is or who knows you are doing it.  As long as God knows, that is all that really counts.

This passage really speaks to me.  Especially this part:  Let God use this time to teach you and draw you closer to Him.


On to the next section....