WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
Monday, July 20, 2020 by Leona Choy

The past few months may seem like a lifetime in length with all we have gone through since the New Year's ball dropped in Times Square. Especially when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet. And we don't know what lies ahead when we emerge. We may fret at the slow pace and isolation forced upon us. We may feel we are wasting a valuable part of our lives and simply treading water.

Nevertheless, God is working His Master Plan for us behind the scenes. Time is not being wasted. He seldom takes us to His destination by a straight street for good reasons known only to Him. The zigzags of our life journey may be frustrating and confusing but God is working on us in order to work through us when we emerge. We must be prepared for “the new thing” which will await us. It would be nice to have a heaven's-eye-view of our lives from beginning to end while we are still in progress. Fantasy.

Faith and trust in God is our only recourse. “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) Let's relax and allow God to be our GPS for whatever roads we must still travel even as the rest of the year unfolds.

San Francisco is famous for its hilly streets but Lombard Street used to take the prize for being the most treacherous drive until it was re-engineered to make it safer. Previously, when it was a steep straight street, it was a one-way death-defying drop toward the San Francisco Bay. Engineers gave it a series of hairpin S-curves within the space of one city block. Low, walled gardens were built, projecting from the sides of the street into the center, creating 4 right-hand and 4 left-hand S-curves—a total of 8 from the high top to bottom. Maximum speed? Only 5-10 mph. You now spend as much time going sideways as you do going downhill—but at least you arrive in one piece!

A part of the famous Burma Road carved from the mountainous jungles in the late 1930s, “24-Zig” has 24 zigzag turns in the road in the space of 2.4 miles—one S-curve every one-tenth of a mile. From the air, it looks like a long piece of wet spaghetti laid out with 24 perfect hairpin turns running along the top of the mountain ridges. You actually travel 10 miles in order to complete 2.4 miles! Most of the time you are again going sideways.

Google's map function will take you visually and virtually to both of those incredible spots. They may be descriptive of our COVID experience thus far. Let's just keep ourselves in God's hand for the rest of the journey. He promises to guide us with His eye, with His righteous right-hand and by His Holy Spirit always for our good and for His glory. Let's look at it this way:

There may be some steep hills to climb.

Times when the road seems treacherous

and you aren't sure which turns to take.

Times when you feel like you are on the brink of falling.

There may be many curves in the road

as you make your way through the ups and downs

of the rest of the year.

May you know God's presence with you

through each tunnel,

every steep climb, every curve

in the beautiful mountaintop experiences with Him

and through the unexpected storms of life.

I pray that God will walk with you

down through the shadowed valley and up the mountain,

take your hand and guide you through to His Light,

put a hedge around you to keep you safe,

help you to find joy and excitement

in the roller coaster ride of life,

and fill you with amazement at the beauty

He provides along the way.

Take time to smell the flowers, to admire God’s handiwork along life's road. May His love flood over you, fill you, and overflow in praise to Him for all He's done, is doing and will yet do!

Worrying does not take away Tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away Today's PEACE.

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Comments

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 9/26/2020 3:09:26 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, dear Leona.

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 9/26/2020 3:09:25 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, dear Leona.

Kristin Wood From MD At 7/29/2020 9:21:08 PM

I love this! Thank you for your lovely words.

Reply by: Leona Choy

I believe the Lord is pleased with the way you have handled family matters with sound judgment and encouragement during these past months of COVID seclusion. You have kept up the spirits of many. It may be that your Mother will continue to need your encouragement to a greater degree in the months to come.God will help you counsel and guide her.

Dottie Daniels From West Virginia At 7/21/2020 7:49:36 PM

Uplifting, as always, Leona. Thank you so much. Dottie

Reply by: Leona Choy

For us as God's children, nothing happens by chance but by God's choice, even the times of what we think is His silence. He is working behind the scenes in your life through trials you wouldn't choose but when you look back, you will see why you had to go through them.

Kathleen Monge From Virginia At 7/21/2020 5:59:28 PM

thank you. Once again this has been a very timely message. God bless and HUGS, kathleen

Reply by: Leona Choy

I'm thankful you find my thoughts meaningful to your walk with the Lord and I'm humbled that you would share them with others. Be assured that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. He is with you on every visit in your ministry and hears and records every conversation as you encourage others.

Susan Macy From Lincoln NE At 7/21/2020 1:18:39 PM

Thank you, Leona, for such a great perspective on the zigzags of this COVIC journey. I love the words of Max Lucado who said - The sun has set on yesterday, today you are alive and tomorrow isn't here yet!!! Blessings to you, Susan

Reply by: Leona Choy

Susan dear, God sees how faithfully you have been to the leading you sense from the Lord concerning some decisions in your family. The tomorrows of all of you are in His hands. We can't fix everything. I preach to myself with these words because I am an obsessive control freak, as much as I hate to admit it. Please Lord, YOU call the shots.

Lila D. Bruckner From OH At 7/21/2020 12:17:35 PM

Thanks, Leona. I copied your highlighted note at the end of your blog and put it on a Post it Note which is headed "Always Remember."

Reply by: Leona Choy

Sweet Lila, how much we do need to encourage one another to keep walking in pace with the Lord. I always write to build myself up first. Our tired brains may start slipping so we need reminders of the goodness of the Lord in past years while we were in "running around ministry." O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come..."

Lindsay Van Sicklen From Arkadelphia Arkansas At 7/21/2020 8:27:22 AM

Thanks, Leona. Have to frequently remind myself of the last quote. May God bless you richly.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Lindsay, I thank God you are part of my life. You encourage me to keep going about my Father's business even when my energy flags...and it does in the nineties...you will find out. God is using you exactly where He planted you. Keep growing and bearing fruit in your "ripe" years. The fruit you offer Him is even more sweet.

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