Pt. 3 Pandemic Positivity? “Can our relationships ever be the same?”

Stability (and sanity) found in Christ Alone.

COVID19 is not only changing the social, economic, and political landscape of our world – likely forever – it is also changing us. We are individually and collectively “morphing” through a coerced set of psychological “reorientations” and social parameters. An unwilling and seemingly unnatural adaptation to this new, unpredictable “Corona-world.”

In light of all of this, COVID19 has become a metaphor for those very serious conditions already plaguing our society. Conditions such as“abject selfishness,” apathy, chronic obsessive-compulsive disorders, malignant narcissism – and an array of other psychological and sociopathological “mental health disorders” across the spectrum- all tethered now to this virus.

These outlying conditions can do more damage than COVID19 itself. As the pressure is on full-court we’re already seeing some of our sicknesses escalate and manifest in public policies and our government leadership. With at least 1/3 of the US population already suffering from some form of mental health problem BEFORE the arrival of any pandemic – we should all brace ourselves for what’s coming across the human precipice.

This new frontier, which cannot be seen in one-dimensional terms, will be just as foreign to us as Star Trek or the Twilight Zone was to its viewers in times past. The only difference is that we will actually be living it, as people are already “desperate to escape” this reality and find that 5th dimension. As Believers, we have to ask ourselves the sobering question of “whether or not we will be a part” of these unhinged masses. -Or have we already joined them? What makes the life of a Believer different – so that God can use “us” to shine His light in dark places?

It is a fact that the longterm damage and structural changes to our relationships will in many cases be permanent. -And not just in a superficial way, either. Many of our more shallow connections will be lost for all practical purposes. They will not survive the “restructuring” of our lives and our most basic interactions. They will not endure “our new thoughts” about and towards one another. This is because many of our relationships are weak in substance. Deliberately and craftily designed to be that way on purpose. To be “disposable” and self-serving, like fast-food containers and grocery store bags. “Flimsy” in terms of quality and already hanging on by a proverbial thread. (God has another “relationship-template” in mind for us. One of much better quality and design.)

These relationships are not grounded in things like God’s love, honor, respect, or personal “virtue” and integrity. Many of us have been treading through these murky waters for far too long with those who only mock these values – while also mocking God in our lives. Failing to realize that we can still drown ourselves in this shallow water.

God is, however, opening up the door for SOMETHING NEW to come forth to BLESS our lives in this season of great trial and change. 🙂 It is absolutely a “Pandemic Opportunity!” -“Go and find your sheepfold!”

Remember that God allows all things to happen “for the good” of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose! –Is that person you?

Regardless of how we may personally feel about some of these changes, we can be sure that they will far outlast any human losses sustained due to the Corona pandemic of ‘2020’. . . At a time like this, we must face our fears and not lose ourselves and our minds. Never forget that Satan is “truly” the god of this world and if you didn’t believe that before you may certainly live to see it now.

We must locate our true selves in all of this chaos and confusion. As children and servants of God we are not to be conformed to this world, but we are rather being transformed “by the renewing of our minds”- in Christ Jesus our Lord! Keeping our focus on Him will always be our greatest challenge. Let’s put the right firewalls in place to guard and protect our spirit, soul, and body!

We are created in the “image and glory of God” and our God changes not. “In Him is no variation or shadow of turning.” These are the fundamentals of understanding survival in the Endtime.

Walking in the Spirit is that “practice that makes perfect.” It means we don’t conform to the flesh and carnality of others to have a “relationship.” It means we are like OUR GOD.

We don’t change “the God” in us! The spiritual struggle in a climate like this is complicated for those who never really learned how to play by “God’s rules.” Now is definitely a good time to learn! It will be a matter of spiritual survival. “Of life and death” in an environment that is becoming more and more “counter-Christ” by the second.

This is how we will survive the world’s new endgame – whatever that might be – because at the end of THIS LIFE we want to receive the crown of life that can only come from our Lord! Loving God under trials like these is something we must already have working in us if we are to finish our race. The Apostle James exhorts us:

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” -James 1:2

It’s very easy to forget in our desperation to “survive and stay” this that THIS WORLD IS ACTUALLY NOT OUR HOME.

Surviving the relationship shift also requires the same strategy and stamina as winning our race of faith. Relationships in the Kingdom of God must also play by the same rules. The Master’s rules. The two are inextricably connected (our relationships and our salvation) because who you allow into your Christ-journey to “walk hand in hand” will influence your ability to complete it.

Salvation requires us to have the very same mind of CHRIST. That also extends to those we are in a relationship with. Nothing else (but His mind) will help us adjust to so many people playing so many very different kinds of games, and with so many different motives and agendas. Those who also have a different final destination.

Separating ourselves unto the Lord and allowing Him to consecrate our will is helping us “right now” to get to that finish line. To put it simply, “bad, shallow, or otherwise… ungodly relationships” will make this journey very troublesome. This can even “disqualify us” from our race altogether. The COVID19 virus has forced us all to look into the mirror, once again. Only this time, instead of a “mere glance” it is more like a long stare. To more critically examine ourselves and the true substance of those things we have allowed and invited into our lives.

The stakes have never been higher. Never will there be a more critical time in our living history to assess “what we approve” of in our everyday life, and what we do not. Just as we have found out with COVID19 – our resources are extremely limited. Our time, focus, emotions, spiritual energy, money – even those to whom we focus our ministry attention – they must all pass “God’s approval” and His “relationship test.”

We are to be kind and to pursue love and peace with all men, however, there is much wisdom in how Jesus selected the twelve (disciples). How even from those twelve, He had his “inner circle” of only three. We need Christ’s pattern to see ourselves and our relationships with a new set of Endtime lenses.

What Relationships must we Avoid? “Doing things God’s Way til’ the very end.”

While it may come across as rude or even “unloving” to the uninformed; the Apostle Peter told us “that it is better to obey God than men.” The good thing is – we don’t have to make any of the “dos and donts” up when it comes to God’s list. As we were reminded earlier in this series, “Everything pertaining to life and godliness has been given to us in His Word.” Paul warned us when he delivered the “shortlist” to Timothy what the character of people will be in the last days. . . Needless to say, relationships with these individuals will be “fruitless” and you “enter in” to the detriment of your own soul.

The Character of Men in the Last Days
3 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be (1) lovers of themselves, (2) lovers of money, (3) boasters, (4) proud, (5) blasphemers (liars), (6) disobedient to parents, (7) unthankful, (8) unholy, 3 (9) unloving, (10) unforgiving, (11) slanderers, (12) without self-control, (13) brutal, (14) despisers of good, 4 (15) traitors, (16) headstrong, (17) haughty, (18) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 (19) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!  -2 Timothy 3

What’s interesting about this list is that it’s not just describing the character of people who are in the world. In this scriptural context, Paul is specifically warning us about the CARNAL and “soulish character” of those believers among us – “professing to be a part of the faith.”

Judgment always begins in the house of God – and therefore, we must also begin our decisions about relationships right here. Paul leaves no room for misunderstanding, as he tells Timothy that these individuals will “have a form of godliness” but will deny His power. God’s Spirit of Truth.

We hear an awful lot about the “love of Christ” and how “God is love” and “love is love,” which is nothing more than deceptive wordplay for a people who refuse to define that love based on God’s own definition and by His Standard, as found in Scripture. That Standard is the Son Himself, Jesus Christ, the logos, the “living Word” of Truth.

We are neither obligated nor instructed to demonstrate our love (for God and others) by “disobeying” His commandments in order to please the carnal and “unrepentant” believer or to appease the moral indifference and demands of those who “do not” believe.

As Bible-based disciples, our relationships are not “arbitrary” or randomly selected. Nor are they based on bloodlines, patronages, favoritism, or personal preferences. They are rather, and instead, based on the Love of Christ, which is expressed through His written Word. His Holy Spirit ordains and sanctifies our relationships, which are never outside of His will.

When we can accept this, and accept it without compromise in our own hearts, then we will find the fulfillment of true covenant relationships, partnerships, and genuine “fellowship” in the family of faith that we deserve.

In this new “Corona-world” we have already seen first hand “the voluntary separating” of people one from another. As people are moving away from “a selective some” and returning to their true love camps. We are now learning the real working definitions of words like “love” “friendship,” “family,” “sister or brother in Christ” -even “husband or wife.” We are also learning how to redefine these words: “Biblically.”

We are learning that people are not always who they say they are – and are never who they pretend to be. Now, with so many being under duress, people are no longer up for their “role-playing.” We are all now “fully exposing” who and what we are – and who we are not.

God’s children are being forced to see in others (and in ourselves) what we chose to ignore or simply set aside before. It truly is a new day and these relationships will never be “cloaked over” again. The exposure is permanent.

“We will either grow together or we will live apart.”

You cannot unsee the colors of life that God has revealed. They cannot be “uncolored.” Jokers can’t be simply “put back inside the box.” –We must accept the new relationship picture for what it is now – if we are to learn from them.

We must not only live to forgive but learn to never forget the lessons we are learning now thanks to COVID19. The reorganization and restructuring of things are working out, ultimately, and abundantly in our favor. -Even if we can’t see it yet! Just keep paying attention. . .

Many of us are being humbled by what we can see, rendering that view an irreversible one. May we never look back to the relationships of Sodom. To that place in our past where God’s judgment will certainly fall and destroy.

We are thanking our God today for another chance to downshift, reverse, hit our knees, get up again and make it right! Many of us are embracing the strangers – that are becoming more like family because God is actually sending them… We are releasing ourselves from “false burdens” and yokes from the past that were never ordained for our lives. We are maturing in the faith! Seeing His vision for our lives more CLEARLY now!

“We are proving all things and holding fast to what is good!” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

-Find out what and who you truly love and don’t let go…

-Allow God to expose your true enemy. You may be surprised that it is not who or what you think…

–Don’t ignore the changes that you cannot change…

-You can’t unsee what you have now seen…

-All things will be revealed in time…

-An unhappy ending may be God’s way to a new beginning…

-Only relationships nailed to the Cross will last…

-They were never for you…

-Remember you are the answer to someone else’s prayer, as a true friend, brother or sister in Christ, husband or wife – and more…

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

Take nothing for granted, Love wisely and RECOVER ALL!

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