I am not sure why I feel the need to write this post; and we are in a weird time in history when simple truths need to be repeated.

We live in a time where so many people have so many different misfortunes. Financial, emotional, psychological, social, relational… the list goes on and on.

In these times, some would use them to their own advantage and gain from the misfortunes of others. While it is easy to see how those whose gain is personal from taking advantage of those whose fortunes have turned for the worse can be simply be labeled malicious, what about those who would seek out those who are hurting and use their pain to help expose their need to be in right relationship with their Creator?

We, as followers of Jesus, could use this situation, and the people in it, to make “gains” for the Kingdom of God. And while these gains may appeal to some in the short term, what people are won with, they are won to. If people are won to a God who can bring them respite from their pain, what happens when the source of their pain has been soothed? What happens when the Shelter in Place orders have all been lifted?

Now is the time to put into action the words of Paul, written to the church in Rome:

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:!5

By this, if people see the good that our relationship with the Creator of all things is to us, and they start a relationship of their own, they will have been won with actions that mirror the heart of God who met each of us in our hour of need by stepping into our situation and being Immanuel, God with us.

Meet those in need of support and love in this time of uncertainty. Meet them during a walk around your neighborhood, meet them on social media, meet them in your household, meet them while looking in the mirror… But when you meet them, don’t be afraid to cry with them for the pain that you both share as things don’t quite go the way that you had hoped this spring would go. And then enjoy the relationship that grows from there!