One month ago we had a very God-honoring Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast with a thousand attendees, the launch of our Legislative Session, my Capitol Bible studies were about to kick-off, a U.S. Senator was scheduled to speak at my Leader Faith Forum and I was preparing to speak at several conferences. BAM … COVID-19 hit and everything changed. Is it any wonder James writes about holding things loosely?
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” ~James 4:13-15
The New Orleans area has been hit hard with the Coronavirus and many are suffering. The loss is real. Friends have already declared bankruptcy and several have the virus. Families are disrupted and distanced. Who knows how bad the economy will be hit? It is sobering to watch our world be impacted by a microscopic but menacing virus as it radically uproots every nation’s health, economy, social connectivity and very way of life. It is OK to be sad. It is OK to feel. It is OK to grieve.
There are valleys but also peaks. I am also experiencing hope and optimism that God is up to something big. Old paradigms that have dominated for years are giving way to new emerging wineskins. The virus has exposed some false gods of misplaced trust. Many are reassessing their values. The Gospel cannot be quarantined. The real Church has not been shut down but has been unleashed and is unstoppable. Epic sacrifices and creativity are touching lives for great good. I have learned to BET THE FARM ON JESUS and let God be God.
Capitol Commission/Grace Adventures has had to pivot like everyone else. We are recalibrating to do ministry with our new digital realities. Bible studies have moved on-line with ZOOM. Leaders are being contacted through social media, video, phone calls, texts, etc. I am posting almost daily on Facebook and LinkedIn. I am working from home full speed ahead. I got out this week to share scripture and pray on a government television program, and I help Wednesdays for a couple of hours with a feeding program for those with needs. We are trying to follow all the Governor’s guidelines and to be part of the solution.
How are You?
It is with heart-felt concern that we ask, “How are you doing?” Speaking on behalf of Donna and myself, we want you to know we care deeply for the well-being of you and your family. You are dear to our hearts and in our prayers. Let us know how we can serve you or pray for you. Be safe and trust in our Abba Father.
I wrote/adapted this and really believe that …
Helping Louisiana’s Leaders,
Michael