by Bill Roach, President
Hello Friends,
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
What an amazing time to be living in the world! Never in my lifetime have I seen God hit the reset button like He has over the last two weeks. It has caused most of us to stop and readjust our lives. To really be still. We don’t eat out the same way, we don’t shop the same way, we don’t work the same way, and we don’t even worship in the same way.
Everything is different except for one thing. The Scriptures teach us that God never changes. He is “…the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). What a reassuring thought during times like these! While we are being still in our homes, He is still God and in control of everything! And we are beginning to know Him in a deeper way.
The events surrounding us are increasing that speed of getting to know our God!
Besides God, I’m not so sure anybody really knows what is happening; and for the first time in a long time, the “experts” are actually admitting that they don’t know. I’m no expert in anything, but if I may, I would like to tell you a couple of my thoughts and meditations.
- God is bringing down American idols all over the place. In Colorado — and in the space of about 24 hours — He shut down sports, ski slopes, fine dining, health clubs, bars, casinos…etc. I’m not saying that any of these in and of themselves are evil, but they are certainly pushed out of our way for the foreseeable future. And the view seems much nicer, cleaner, and clearer.
- There is a sense of “decluttering” going on. There is less stuff in our lives. And I’m not just talking about in Costco, Walmart, or the grocery store shelves, but it’s everywhere. Less traffic, fewer people out-and-about, fewer stores open, fewer store hours for those that are open, fewer employees … less employment and less everything. We are eliminating things all over the place. I believe time will tell what is really essential. But I think almost everyone agrees that some of the excess had to go. And in so many ways, it is refreshing and good.
- This is not easy. It’s difficult to lose things that we have depended on. And it’s incredibly sad that some will lose their jobs or worse yet, a loved one.
I think the big thing that God is doing is so much more than the physical. He is also decluttering our hearts. All through Scripture we know that when God wants to do something really big, He first takes away the idols of our hearts. He did it in Gideon’s day and in King Josiah’s day. And He appears to be doing it again. So what should our response be? How do we lean into what God is doing?
Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely.” In my own life I see him peeling back the layers of sin and dropping the weights of the unimportant. It isn’t easy — for me or for those I love. Just yesterday, I had to ask my wife to forgive me for my unloving spirit and selfishness. Thank God she forgave me one more time! God is calling for us to be a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1–2 and to give ourselves up like Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:6–8. His life was poured out — every last drop of his life for God’s Kingdom! As my high school coach used to say towards the end of a basketball game, “Leave it all out on the court, Bill. Don’t come off with any strength left!” Sounds daunting … sounds impossible … and without the prayers of the saints and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, it is (Philippians 1:19).
But the rewards are incredible. The freedom that comes from “lost weight” is exhilarating. The joy and blessings of God sanctifying us as He removes the shackles of our sins are incredible. So lean in child of God. Love your neighbor in ways that you haven’t done before. Help them with children that are home that aren’t normally there all day. Remember how hard it was for you to make that decision to be with your kids all day long! Imagine the difficulty of someone else deciding that for you without any preparation! What a wonderful opportunity to show the love of Christ to those who need it most! Be the hands and feet of our Savior to those who are in need. Serve your family with a renewed hope that God is setting us up for something very special … because He is!
It truly is a great time to be alive … God is on the move!
In Christ’s steadfast love and faithfulness,
Bill Roach
President, Christian Home Educators of Colorado
720.842.4852
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Thank you for sharing! I needed that!
Yes ,thank you for the good Word !
Such an excellent post! Thank you Mr. Roach for faithfully serving CHEC all these years, being transparent, and pointing us all to Jesus Christ in the good seasons and the not so good.
Oh my thank you so much for your wise words. I have had a heart that wasn’t humble toward all that is happening and the Holy Spirit told me that these people that are fearful don’t have the vision that Christ gives us. After these thoughts I opened up your email confirmed it all for me. Thank you so much Mr. Bill Roach.
We are a Home school African American family of seven, two parents, four children and one Son-in-law. We home schooled from elementary to the time they took some college classes and three out of four serve in the Air Force. God called us to teach our own, thank you so much for all you do,
Thank you for sharing your insight. I too believe the Lord has taken this time of uncertainty, dreadfulness and fear, and has turned it around to bring more people to Him. He wasn’t the cause of all this but He certainly is taking advantage of it, even if others don’t see or understand it. Yes, it’s awful that there has been loss of life for many, and our prayers go out to those that have lost loved ones. However, because of such a crisis as this, we are seeking answers we never thought to search for before. We are looking to God like very few times before. We are together with our kids and them with us. A season to partake in quality and quantity time as a family. To stand and pray together. I also believe that what we are experiencing now is just a precursor to something bigger, that the Lord has in store! Hopefully we are reaching out to those we are closest to, with Truth! This is a special time that we are living, presently. All have come to such a stillness…could it be that in this stillness…could it be that in this time of quietness…God is attempting to reach out to those who need to hear Him…all over the world? I hope pray that during this somber period in time that we are all listening and applying what God is calling us to do. God Bless You!
What a timely letter. I can help but think of how all the “stuff” we thought we really needed is not at all important right now. At the same time relationships are being restored and healed. We have slowed down and God is re-directing us to focus and love the people in our lives.
Thank you, Bill. I needed a reset of my attitude towards all my grumbling public school friends. I’ve been praying for the Lord to change my heart and your email is helping nudge me over the threshold to loving them fully with the love of Christ.
God is good, all the time!