Restricted.
That’s the word that describes the past two weeks. Restricted.
No sports. No school. No church. No restaurants. No gyms. Don’t leave your house. Don’t get too close to people. Don’t touch your face.
Everyone is telling us what NOT to do.
The COVID-19 virus pandemic has affected everyone.
With 2 young kids stuck at home from school, the college campus I work on shut down, and a pregnant wife I really want to protect – the pressure of the restrictions is definitely felt.
I hate restrictions.
This is America! We were built on the ideas of freedom and personal liberty. We get nervous and antsy when people start telling us what NOT to do or what we CAN’T do (even if we know it is for the common good).
How are we supposed to respond as Christians when restrictions mount?
One of the reasons people struggle with faith in God, to begin with, is because they see Him as restrictive. Growing up I always viewed the Bible as a giant rule book telling me what NOT to do and who NOT to be.
Does God want to restrict us too?
That idea, and after listening to a quote by Craig Groeschel this week, I decided to read every time in the New Testament we are told NOT to do.
I was shocked by what I read.
And encouraged!
I quickly noticed that when God calls us to NOT do or be something, it’s because He is calling us into truth.
He’s calling us into the reality of a life that reflects Jesus Christ. He’s asking us to put off the old self and put on the new, made in the image of His Son.
One of the most repeated “NOT’s” in the New Testament is fitting for a time like this – to “not be afraid.” In fact, 27 times believers are encouraged or commanded to NOT be afraid.
After reading and reflecting on the passages I didn’t feel restricted anymore.
I felt empowered!
God looks to correct our mindset and remind us of who we are really called to be.
I want you to read those verses and be encouraged during this time too!
Put it Into Practice:
I wrote a devotional with several of the Scriptures that speak of who and what we are NOT.
Download that PDF by clicking here –> What Not To Do.pdf
As a campus minister, I am navigating what ministering to students looks like without them being on campus. We are hosting our Bible studies through zoom, offering leadership training online and FaceTiming with students to catch up.
I am planning to use devotionals and resources like this to continue to help our students grow and have a Godly perspective in this trying time. I’ll send it to some of our students, have them look up the verses, and then FaceTime with them to talk about it.
It has a few discussion questions at the end. I hope it can be a resource for you, your disciples or small groups that can be used in the coming weeks to focus our attention not just on our restrictions, but on who believers are supposed to be in times of crisis.
These restrictive days are a challenge. But with them also comes opportunity.
I pray that we as believers would not shut down in the restrictions, but would embrace God’s call on our lives to NOT be afraid, NOT lose heart, NOT be troubled, NOT be anxious, and NOT shrink back. Help us to reflect the light and hope of Jesus Christ to a struggling world.
