What I Thought Matters, Really Doesn’t

After being issued the mandate to not only keep my distance from others, but to also stay at home, I was forced to reflect. I was forced to adjust MY way of living and succumb to the new commands. There was no turning back.

And looking back, it was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me.

I know this time has created an incredible spectrum of feelings and emotions across all of humanity. If you ever wonder, “Is anyone else feeling this way…” I’m sure there is another. But one thing I want to encourage you to do, is ask yourself, “What has this taught me?”

Maybe it’s that you never want to be a parent who is trying to work and teach at the same time. Maybe it’s that you are not a homebody and you are ready to flea the coop. Maybe it’s that you need to socialize in order to stay sane. And maybe you’re learning that clearing the schedule isn’t all that bad. Regardless, I know for me, one thing I am learning is what really matters. And…

What I thought matters, really doesn’t.

Entertainment.

I’m not one who keeps up on trends and the Hollywood world, but I do enjoy keeping up on the sports world. I was fairly devastated when I learned that not only March Madness would be cancelled, but the OLYMPICS would be postponed. AH! When a crisis like this occurs though, it really puts everyone on the same playing field. Every Hollywood star is stuck at home. Every sports professional, no matter how much they make, is just like you and me, right now. Think of your favorite music artist – they are no different than you. As much as we idolize not only these people, but also what they do, in a snap, it can all be taken away. They too, are just regular people. So why do we idolize them in the way we do? It doesn’t really matter. It’s entertainment and something that will fade. Now don’t get me wrong – I will always love March Madness and count down the days until the Olympics. But I think next time, I will remember that they too, are just regular people. It will one day all be a memory.

True Colors Are Coming Out.

Actually, quite literally! You will never see so many roots, so many unwanted hairs, so many chipped nails in this world at one time. No, seriously. Have you ever wondered what a person’s true hair color is? Thank you coronavirus! If we are practicing social distancing, we will all get a chance to see everyone’s true colors. I’m not one to highlight my hair frequently or get my hair cut for that matter, but it has made me realize how not-important these things really are. Call me morbid, but when it’s my time, I don’t think I’m going to do my “hair toss, check my nails” (thank you Lizzo). It is what it is. Be confident in what you look like RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait to feel that confidence after you get your hair done. Just be you.

Productivity.

I have an idol in my life and it’s called productivity. I am a list person and I find GREAT satisfaction in crossing things off my to-do list. And honestly, it’s kind of a problem. I don’t like to waste a minute of my life and I solve that by being as productive as I can in a day. But it’s a problem. What I thought mattered, really doesn’t. I can stink at being still. I can stink at just sitting down and reading a book. I can stink at just soaking life in. I idolize accomplishments in a day and I’ve got to stop. Nothing wrong with wanting to get something done, but I can so easily hold it in a higher regard than the very God I serve. This time has taught me about what really SHOULD matter in my life and it’s not just about crossing things off my to-do list. For who do I do them for? Myself, or for Him alone?

It’s Not About Me.

This life isn’t about me. During a pandemic, it’s easy to think about how this is all affecting me and my family. And to a certain extent, it’s good to be real and honest with myself. But I also have to realize where I am in the grand spectrum. To God, this whole virus is just one small snippet of his grand plan. It has come and it will go, and his plans will continue to prevail. What he wants us to do is to be still and know that HE is God. A virus, though it may seem like it does, does NOT control us. I find myself sometimes struggling to just be still, yet this is the very thing God is bringing me to. I might as well listen and submit to the One who IS in control!

It’s Not A Saving Us From, But Saving Us To.

What really matters is what this virus is saving us TO. Not what we are asking to be saved from. Now don’t get me wrong. God WANTS us to ask Him to heal our land. To heal our bodies. To bring our requests to him. But in praying, I am realizing that his good purposes aren’t what he will save me from, but what he is saving me to – and that’s to himself. Jesus came to save us eternally, not necessarily from disease. Much like when Jesus came to die for the sins of us all, the crowds thought he came to save them from the Romans – not to save them eternally. We often think what matters is what God saves us FROM this side of heaven – but what if all of this is in preparation to draw us closer to him? To sanctify us? To save us to HIMSELF? Maybe, just maybe, he’s saving me from myself.

Voices.

What voices I thought mattered, really in the end, don’t. Now I want to be careful here. I’m not saying that we need to disregard the mandates. Disregard what is being recommended. Disregard authorities. In fact, that would be unbiblical. And a sin. But what matters are the voices I hold in the highest regard. So often I can hold the voices of the world in a higher regard than the voice of God. The voices of this earth are LOUD right now. The fear. The stress. The predictions. The everything. But let me tell you…

No statistic is higher than God’s ways. No opinion is above God’s. No prediction is ever perfect – only our very God is.

We can’t disregard the truth of the matter. But what we can’t disregard is that God is God and He will allow what He will allow, according to His good and perfect will. We can do nothing to thwart it. Nothing to change it. The voice of God, my friend, is COMPLETELY, 100%, true and trustworthy. Quiet the voices of the world. Be still and listen to the sometimes still and quiet voice of God. For that is what really matters.

A Schedule Means Nothing.

What I thought mattered, which was being organized and having all of my ducks in a row, welp this too, can be thrown out the window. Who knew a schedule could all of a sudden mean nothing? Okay, this homebody has had this odd love of whiting-out every single thing on our calendar for the next month, but it has also made me realize my ways are not always his ways and nor are his thoughts always my thoughts. For his ways are higher than mine and his thoughts higher than mine as well (check out Isaiah 55). HIGHER. We can think we’ve got it all set, but my friend, his ways will ALWAYS prevail. Think spring break plans. Boom. Just like that, out the door they went – and it wasn’t the people. I think about our little trip we were going to take to see friends – our yearly venture. Boom. Cancelled. What really matters is daily choosing to rest in his plans for me, even if they change, and trusting that he knows best. My tomorrows are not for me to worry about, but to leave them in the hands of the very one who has already gone before me.

Have you found yourself reflecting on what really matters? This unprecedented time has really brought back into focus for me, what truly matters. I am so thankful for our little family of 3 and the reminders daily, that God is in control. I find incredible peace and freedom in that. During this time, allow God to get ahold of your heart to show you what really matters. I know I’ve got a whole lotta tweaking to do in my own life!