Message from Live More Ministries

Dear Live More Ladies –

We would like to share with you a message of hope and encouragement from Ginny Merritt, guest speaker for the next Live More Ministries program.  As soon as we have a new date for that program, we will let you know.  In the meantime …

Be safe, stay healthy, and always Live More!

March 31, 2020

Dear LiveMore sisters,

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

That childhood song is such a comfort in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. As the waves of change wash over us and threaten to knock us off our feet, our anchor is Jesus and His love. This I know.

Ray and I set up our Resurrection Set on the living room hutch a week ago (see picture below). Our white-robed Lord is perched on top of an empty plaster tomb. He has His arms thrown wide in triumph and welcome. Below Him, a few of His disciples in their striped clothing and some women carrying brightly painted flowers have come. They are in awe. Some kneel.

Like you, we have been so sad about the whole world being affected or infected by this invisible virus. We decided to put our world globe on our dining table so we could look at different countries and pray for the people there. Last night, Ray moved the globe to the Resurrection Scene. He wants a visual image to remind us that Jesus died for this world. He loves every nation. He loves every person. He is not absent. He is with us.

In my devotions this morning, I came across a familiar passage of Scripture, but it took on new

meaning in light of this crisis. That’s what the living Word of God does, doesn’t it? It lives, it grows, it breathes, it gives life.

Ephesians 5:15-20, NLT 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The verse that struck me in the face was v. 16: “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

What? Make the most of every opportunity? What opportunity? I can’t get out; I can’t get to church; I can’t talk with my neighbors face to face; I can’t see my children or grandchildren; I can’t hold Good News Club in my home! And I can’t come to speak at LiveMore on April 25. What am I supposed to do?

Well, little lady, you DO have a husband to care for and live with in isolation in tender, loving ways. You DO have your emails and letters and texts to encourage friends and family. You DO have the privilege of intercessory prayer for medical workers everywhere, particularly for ones whose names you know: Stacy, Kevin, Erin, Dr. Shives. You CAN make face masks for those who need them.

There’s lots to do! Make the most of it. That’s what Paul says.

He also says to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs “among yourselves.” Ray and I have taken up a new habit at one meal a day of reading the background of a familiar hymn and then singing it together.

Finally, the passage says to give thanks for everything. Some versions say IN everything. Honestly, I’m more comfortable with that. I am not thankful that the world is suffering from this crisis, that so many thousands are sick and dying.

But I can trust God that He will bring good out of this. And I can find things to thank Him for IN this situation. I thank Him that we have neighbors shopping for us and taking care of our needs; I thank Him that my husband is good and kind, and we have many resources in our home to keep us pleasantly occupied; I thank Him for His word, His son and His love. Being grateful lifts my mood and gives me new perspective.

In His time, God will bring us together again, friends. Maybe in Belleville, maybe in heaven. We don’t know. But we will Live More for Him as we trust in His watch care.

With love in Jesus, our anchor,

Ginny Merritt