Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
(Psalm 25:16 ESV)

As I hear him speak concerns of fear, my heart sinks aware of so many identifying with him. “I don’t want to die. Not now anyway.” Words that have echoed throughout these past few weeks from near and far. The inability to be accompanied, hugged on, even touched by someone you love has forever been transformed into a colossal awakening of how fragile we are. “If I get sick and hospitalized, I’m alone. No one would be there for me”. The depth of that wound echoes into the abyss. I knew in my soul that if I’m made aware of such plight, I would never allow him to be consumed with the loneliness he has met face to face.

The next morning, I had to reassure him. “I couldn’t help but think about what you said last night that no one would come to see you. That no one has got you. I can’t offer much but I got you and more importantly, God has got you. He has spared your life and protected you thus far. There are many reasons why we could think about how we’re still alive, inexplicably when so many have died. But I’m certain there’s reason that you’ve been spared. God has plans for you.”

Residing more than a thousand miles away from him would undoubtedly be taxing on my abilities to fulfill such a promise. It’s a tall order. But not impossible! With God all things are possible! These aren’t ordinary times. Fear lurks in every corner. Masked by a myriad of faces painted with an array of colors that scream darkness. The needs are great. Confusion is stifling. Nonetheless, I would make every attempt to deliver what’s longed for. Healing. Yet it doesn’t begin with me. It starts with God and He uses us to be His Agents of Love no matter where we are or how far we must travel to be His Hands and Feet.

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

Everyone everywhere knows someone afflicted with this novel virus that has plagued our land. It has ravished through homes taking this person and that one. The numbers had been steadily climbing week after week. So many mourning the loss of that dear person. You know, the one loved. The one you never thought of living without. The one who would be there for every situation. Good and bad. Happy and sad. Healthy or sick. Till death do us part. Yes. That person.

Hundredths of thousands hospitalized. Alone. Not knowing who will be their voice when a decision needs to be made on their behalf. That person who would’ve ensured that everything possible to save you isn’t only expected, but demanded! That person. Isn’t there. Anxiety has escalated to an all time high.

The despair of loneliness is real. And as daunting these thoughts are, the truth remains, there’s only One who can be depended on. One who is always there. His Name is Jesus Christ. He knows all our anxieties. How they’re birthed. Why they’re birthed. When they’re birthed. He understands because He’s lived through them. He died because them, His resurrection freed from them. It was the shedding of His Blood. He did this because He cares for us. He did then, does today, and will forever. He’s the Mantel we’re to cast our anxieties on. Just leave them hanging there. Hard situations aren’t anything He can’t handle. He’s omnipotent!

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
(Psalm 62:8 ESV)

Time and time again, it’s widely seen that the need for a higher power isn’t sought when all is well. In retrospect, I never depended on anyone! If I couldn’t do it or pay someone to do it, then it didn’t get done. Simple as that. I believed in God, but I too didn’t seek Him. I was self-sufficient. I did what I needed to do, and therefore, I would have what I needed and wanted. My life mirrored that falsehood. I was hungry; I ate. I was thirsty; I drank. I was jobless; I applied. I was lonely; I dated. I lived in a state of absolute oblivion.

But then, an epiphany!

There isn’t anything I’m in control of!

What I needed was to drink from the Living Water!

Our current state of being has solidified the truth of our profound weakness. Our vulnerability. We’re so limited in all we can do. There isn’t an achievement we’ve acquired that wasn’t approved by Him. He’s the source of all our blessings. Knowing this, we’re to respond to His call, answering to the One who holds each of us in His Hands. The One who knows us. We’re to pour out our hearts to Him. Cry to Him. Trust in Him. Believing with every fiber of our being He wants to commune with us. He desires to protect us. He hovers over us. Even when we’re alone. Especially when we’re alone!

Accepting this reinforces the fact to entrust those we love into His Hands. He’s the only One able to care for those we love who are alone during this season of uncertainty. He’s their Comforter. Their Strength. Their Protector. Their Provider. We must embrace this truth. Rarely in my life have I had a love one hospitalized and not be there! Often, I’d live there until their discharge. This isn’t today’s reality! We barely get to the hospital front doors before being turned away in agony unsure if that’s the last time they’ll be seen alive. Heart wrenching! Unimaginable, as I heard firsthand what it feels like for a dear friend as her mom lays alone, on a ventilator.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
(Romans 15:13 ESV)

Facing this crisis alone is terrifying. But as God has taught me throughout my years of anguish, He’s the God of ALL hope. Not of little hope. But ALL hope. When we humble ourselves before Him, the Spirit of the Living God will meet us where we are. Ready and able to provide and mend. It’s only through Him that we may survive. In addition, He wants us to prosper, believing we will overcome these challenges forced upon us with new renditions of what was lost.

The birth of inexplicable joy and peace begins to dwell within us. Filling us with new possibilities. A future painted with a palette of the most beautiful colors never thought to be blended. Encouraged to wake up every morning singing a new praise for the One who gifts you with grace and mercy. Your circumstances may not immediately change. But how you choose to get through it will forever be different.

As followers of Christ, we’re called to be present for those needing to feel the presence of Jesus. The love of Jesus. The companionship of Jesus. Reassuring that although they may be lonely and/or afraid, they’re not alone. Jesus is with them. He hears their cries. He sees their suffering. We’re to be the salt and light. We’re to wash their feet as Jesus did to His disciples. We’re to serve and serve abundantly as Jesus did. Unconditionally. It doesn’t matter if they deserve it or not. We’re not called to pass judgement. Peter denied Jesus three times yet Jesus knowing that he would, still washed his feet.

Who am I not to do the same?

As Jesus descended from Heaven to be among us and demonstrate the amazing picture of love. We too can offer that to those yearning for it. But we must be intentional about being Agents of Love. Speak words of love. Prosperity. A kind gesture. Supply a needed provision. That’s all it takes. Poured from one’s heart to another. We may feel lonely but we’re not alone. As long we can love without barriers, there’s always the assurance through Jesus that hope thrives and will prevail in the darkest of places. Jesus’ actions exemplified what love should look like. This is exactly what we’re to mimic toward others so that they will see, feel, and embrace  what it’s like to be loved. Otherwise, how else would they know? How else can they demonstrate the act of love to others? As an educator by trade, my students needed to be modeled the task I aimed to teach them. Without a clear demonstration, they wouldn’t have successfully met their benchmark.

How can you be an Agent of Love?

Dear Lord Jesus, my heart is heavy for those who are experiencing these difficult times alone. I come to You Lord declaring that Your overflowing love to be the great Comforter over those we love, near and far. Over those we don’t know. Over those alone in hospitals and institutions. Over those living alone. Over those who aren’t able to be there for their ailing love one. Reveal Yourself to them Lord. Your promise is that You’ll never leave us nor forsake us. Your promise is that when we cry out to You and humble ourselves before You, You’ll meet us. Lord help us see Your Holy Spirit as our Friend willing to freely give. Help us abide in Him. You’re the Great I Am Lord. Use us as Your Agents of Love to shower those near and far with Your love. That the afflicted may see in their loneliness, that they’re not alone. I praise Your Holy Name today and forevermore!

It is in Your Son’s Name Jesus Christ we pray.                                           Song: You Are For Me
Amen.

God bless you and yours.
I love you.

In His Grip,