Just Be Held

Hey y'all! I just wanted to write a quick post today, to hopefully give a little encouragement. This morning as I was getting ready, I remembered a song that I hadn't heard in a very long time. It took me a few moments to hum along to the song, trying to remember the name. Once I did, I asked my Google Assistant to play it. What was the song, you may ask? Just Be Held by Casting Crowns. Wow. I hadn't heard the song in sooooo long, and it's hard to describe how much I needed to hear it this morning. 

I'm not sure how the rest of the states are doing, but currently in NC there is a high spike in COVID-19. Specifically in the county that I live in. We are back on lockdown, and our church services (at my church specifically) have been online only for the past few weeks. I started college classes again this past Monday, and they have been completely online (using Microsoft Teams). We were supposed to go back in-person January 25, but I received an email this morning saying that the date had been pushed to February 15. More and more people that I know have gotten the virus. One of my mom's close friends is currently in the hospital with it. I have cousins who have it, and will have to be completely quarantined through my cousin's birthday. While yes, it is true that the situations surrounding us may seem gloomy and grim, Jesus is still on the throne. There is still hope. And while we as Christians may be grasping for something to hold on to, this song reminds us that "when you're tired of  fighting, chained by your control, there's freedom in surrender; lay it down and let it go." Powerful, isn't it?

Friends, there is still hope. A week ago, a couple in our church gave birth to their first child, a healthy baby girl. The children's pastor and his wife are expecting their first, a baby boy, in the next few weeks. There are still babies being born, y'all. And guess what that means? God's not done with us. There are still generations coming to share the Gospel to the world. And while we may not know when Jesus is returning, in the meantime there is still hope. And while, yes, we are stuck at home, yesterday was a beautiful day, and I was able to go out and wash my car. Yesterday morning I went and picked up Chick-fil-A for my sister and I to eat for breakfast, a rare treat. 

In the midst of the political strife, the virus, and all the other chaos, God is right in the middle of it. Like the song says: 

If your eyes are on the storm

You'll wonder if I love you still

But if your eyes are on the cross

You'll know I always have and I always will

Hopefully this has been an encouragement to you today. I know it was such a big encouragement to me. Please listen to this song. Pray always, and get in your Bible ;).