KORUNA anebo “KORONA”? (the CROWN or the CORONA)

When we think about this time period we focus on the problem. Certainly, it is a present concern and it would be unwise to disregard it. However we need to be focused on God and built our lives on what is rather than what appears or what comes. He shall be in the centre, not the frighten and the needy people (because they were, are and will be). That means that even in a troubled time like this we will see and acknowledge who He is and what He is saying. First, we will see why and in which areas fear itself is a perversion.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12, KJV). These verses are lifeshaking. When we contemplate the award we ought to receive for being faithful everything else fades away. No wonder that this is exactly what the Bible tells us: “Trust the LORD and fear nothing for his love is greater” (Ps, 1 Pt 5:7) and “his strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9, KJV).

There are other things about fear. Interestingly enough most commands in the New Testament that Jesus claims are fear concerned. A considerable sidenote is that the second most common is about love (LUCADO, 2013). Why more of the “do not fear” than “love”? Is it harder? Is it less selfish?

Jesus encourages us to fear not or not to be afraid or take heart or be of good courage (Wilson, 2013, s. 163). In the book of Psalms, Psalmist exhorts the reader to: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,... wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Ps 27:14, KJV). As if there was no other explanation needed except for the same one that Jahve gave to Moses from the burning bush: “I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” (Ex 3:14, KJV).

Jesus is our peace and we don't need to be afraid. “We will have tribulations in our lives (John 16:33, KJV), thus He has been giving peace to us, so that we may stay bold and firm and solid, grounded upon the rock of the Gospel (Col 1:23)” even in the adversity - despite the times.

And so that is the reason why in our minds we shall focus on the positive - “What to do to manifest our peace, what we have been given?” - rather than “Why not to be afraid?” or “What to do when we are afraid?”. Also, as we will focus on - “What is it these days that the LORD is teaching us?”

The closure of schools, shops and particular posts seems are a disaster. Yet that which could seem as a catastrophe on the first sight, nevertheless bears good fruits. God has created the man and the woman so that they would love one another, be fruitful and multiply. It's important for them to spend well spent time together. However in this hectic time, it might be hard for us to find space to just be. Together. This is the season for it right now. And that's what we are here for. Create fellowship, help the members of even the distant family circle. In both financial and practical ways, we will find opportunities to help. Might this atmosphere deepen a sense of belonging to the extent that instead of financial (regarding heritage issues) and relational selfish discords a new wave of solidarity would emerge? Could it be that family members would start playing board games again, practice sports, go for walks, sit together during the afternoons?

This is a space for those who follow the path of unconditional love to start practicing these newly acquired habits more eagerly than ever before and not sooner than then encourage others to do the same. But the importance lies in experiencing these things first and then living them out, out of a place of joy and gratitude for acquiring new HABITS.

Now let's make a list of food for thought and meditation (by the way: meditation shall be an exciting habit to us):

Is somebody in my family sick, alone, or he/she has an unfilled need in his or her life? What are my relationships in the family like, do I spend enough time with them - time that is about us and the sense of being and NOT about any necessity that something has to be carried out? Do I meet my uncles just on a superficial level, do I really know them and care about them as people? Do I enjoy them or am I grateful for them (and what I have in general)? Do I cultivate “love which never gives up, cares more for others than for self, doesn’t want what it doesn’t have, doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, keeps going to the end. Love never dies.” (1 Cor 13:5-9, MSG)? Isn't it the right time now to start forgiving long buried grievances and start loving fully one another? Areas which are in need of our attention are plenty for sure thus the beginning is our mind - a place where we start changing “long preserved the same” thought patterns. Let's start by already mentioned meditation, then I can interview :) God to see what he wants to place on my heart. As a matter of fact how often do we pray for our closes people? How often do we ask what they are grateful for, what made them happy and afterwards bring it with gratitude before the Lord. And this brings us to another point and that is our relationship with the Lord.

The urgency for knowing Him cries louder than ever before. As the problem lies on our side not on God´s (2 Chronicles 7:14).

“Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God. It’s through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen. Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you.” (Proverbs 9:10-12).

To sum up, this season has interconnected the society more than anything in the recent decades. And that for sure requires a lot of gratitude.

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Reference:

• Bible, King James version
• Bible, The Message
• LUCADO, Max. Nebojte se: představte si život beze strachu. Praha: Návrat domů, c2013. ISBN 978-80-7255-285-6.
• WILSON, Pete. Let Hope in: 4 Choices That Will Change Your Life Forever. Thomas Nelson, 2013. ISBN 0849964563.