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I have spent the last 45minutes texting teenagers from our ministry reminding them that God is the same God he was two months ago. I have also been responding to my employees texts giving the same message and advising them on next steps for childcare coverage since school is closed this week. It’s real y’all. I just got a notification that our company will be making parents wait outside to check their babies temperatures individually before daycare workers walk them in. I’m gearing my kitchen table up tonight for remote work tomorrow with three kids…that will be interesting! My wife is waiting to hear what the school district is doing after next week and the future of public school this year. Again, it’s real y’all!

Then I hear about the families that are facing the virus head on. Loved ones that are in hospital beds. Loved ones in nursing homes. Loved ones that are no longer with us. Can’t. Even. Imagine. It’s so, so real.

There is a lot of justification in the fear that’s gripping people. Some people are pretending like it’s no big deal, but it is. As a pastor, I’m reminding people that God is near. As a dad of kids with cystic fibrosis, I have been worried about lungs for 11 years now, and this virus could really do a number on my precious kiddos in ways that I am refusing myself to even think about. BUT, fear doesn’t have a place in my heart. It can’t. It won’t. I cannot allow it too. It knocks, it pokes it head in the doggie door, and I’m doing my best to kick it in the face immediately.

The Bible uses the phrase “fear not” 80 times. Seriously…google it. God puts an emphasis on it.

““I love You [fervently and devotedly], O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies.” Psalms 18:1-3 AMP

I want that faith. The faith that David had. David wasn’t a spring chicken when he wrote that and he went through so much. I went for a walk this evening because we’ve been quarantining ourselves for the kids and just needed fresh air once everyone was in bed. I walked by a fire hydrant and stopped. When it’s not untapped it’s just a big metal object that dogs pee on. But when a fireman turns it on, it blast out 1,500 gallons a minute! That’s a lot of water y’all. That’s a lot of untapped potential just waiting to be used at a moments notice. That untapped potential can save a house on fire, but if it isn’t turned on…only the dog can benefit from it.

God spoke to me tonight and reminded me, that the fire hydrant is like our faith. So many of us have faith, but we haven’t begun to tap into the true life changing potential it holds. So tonight I’m tapping into it. I want you to know that I am praying for you. I’m praying for your fear. I’m praying that you use common sense. I’m praying that you will help the elderly and people with chronic illnesses (like my own kids) and take every precaution. I’m praying that you don’t buy the twelfth double roll package of tissue paper when your neighbor has been driving around desperate for his own family for one. I’m praying that we help others and take the time to encourage them. What If we untap our faith today and share His message of hope, truth, and love in a time when the world needs it the most?