Verse: Philippians 4:9 NIV
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Devotion
In this verse, it seems like Paul is signing off, like ok guys, it’s been really fun, now it’s time to take all the things you’ve seen me do, or heard me say, or gotten from or through me and go do some stuff. And oh, by the way, the God of peace will be with you. So, I’m off, but the guy you can’t see will be there. I wonder if the Philippians were nervous or felt adrift knowing their guy wasn’t going to be around much and now it was up to them to carry on the legacy.
I wonder if they went through a process of grieving. Whenever there is a change to your situation, or a person who is significant in our lives leaves either because they move away or maybe, die, it is very natural to be sad that what was good about that situation is gone. Sometimes we even grieve our old situation when the change is good. Many families go on one last trip as just them before a new baby comes, because that will be the last time of just this part of the family exists the way that it does right now. In the current situation in our lives today, there is so much that is different and if we’re honest, really not preferable. (I’m sure we all have stronger words than not preferable, but this is a devotional, so we’ll just leave it at that 😉) We’re separated from loved ones, managing school and working from home if we’re fortunate enough to be able to do so, making hard decisions about what is safe or not safe for our families, missing out on sports, social events, church, and all kinds of other “normal” things, our country is divided on so many things. I think it would be odd if we weren’t grieving what our lives “should” look like.
The question is, are we grieving well, or are we letting it drag us to a place that is very negative and dark? How Paul is talking in this verse – take what you’ve learned, seen in me, heard from me, and put it into practice, and know that you’re not alone – that sounds like a really good blueprint for healthy grieving. Take what was good from the situation that has ended and pull it forward and into for use in the next one – and don’t do it alone.
In grief, with which I am well acquainted, (lucky me, right?!) there are ebbs and flows. Some days you feel ok, like you’re getting to “normal” whatever that means in your new situation, and then suddenly you’re overwhelmed by deep gut-wrenching sadness again, and it feels as if the loss was only yesterday. Sometimes those days are a milestone or an anniversary, and sometimes they are out of the blue. In healthy grieving you see those hard days and know they won’t last forever. You acknowledge them as a part of the process, you don’t need to feel guilty or like you’ve regressed, and you don’t need to feel bad that you’re not “over it” yet.
We all have our own timelines and processes when it comes to grieving and the same is true for how we are dealing with the uncertainties of today. There are days you feel like, I’ve got this virtual school thing down, and then days where you’re lucky no one caught you half way dressed on your kid’s zoom call. Or there are days that you feel empowered living on your own terms in your single life, and then days you’re lonely and it’s hard to be out and social with all of the restrictions. But I encourage you – take the good things that you’ve known, learned, seen others do – and don’t do this alone. Reach out if you are feeling overwhelmed. I know there are many of us at CityLight who are willing to take time for those who might need a listening ear. Can we think about how we’re grieving and try to pull forward the good things we know how to do and apply them to today?
Prayer
Father God, I pray right now for all of us who are grieving what this year should have been, or the plans we should have been able to do, or the big milestone we should have been able to properly celebrate. I pray comfort and hope. I pray you would show us the unique ways you have prepared us for this time, the tools you have given us that we don’t even see right now. I pray you would give those who are feeling lonely the courage to reach out and seek that connection in a safe place. Lord, for those of us who are in a good space today, please put someone on our hearts to reach out to and encourage.
Author
Recent Comments