I, TC, know the subject of not being afraid of Covid has been discussed so much, but there are so many aspects of our lives that this virus has affected and ways it has closed us down that I wanted to share this word. It is by no means meant to be a word of condemnation but of encouragement. It started with me singing the lyrics, “Though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” As I was singing it, I began to think about the times we live in; all the doom and death that seemingly surrounded us. I know so many people who have shut down and been completely taken out of the race since this began. I realize that some of the carefulness we are walking in is wisdom, but part is straight-up deception from the enemy. He has used fear to separate us from the body and stop us from corporate gatherings. He has used the separation to cause our lamps to grow dim.
The lamp of our soul is what drives us to passionately, fearlessly, and unashamedly pursues God. A burning lamp causes us to run after Him and be willing to face anything and overcome anything to know Him better. When full of oil, the lamp is all we can see, and all we want is more!!! But recently, we have found our lamplights growing dim, not all at once, but little by little. There was a time when nothing could stop us, but we now find ourselves making excuses and not feeling like showing up for the battle.
One of our biggest adversaries is fear, and the enemy uses it to go after our passion ultimately. By passion, I mean our extravagant love for the lover of your soul. This is where not fearing comes in. In many scriptures, the Father tells us that there will be moments that look like storms and death are all around us. He tells us there will be times that 10,000 will be against us, and it will just flat out look like we are in the shadow of death-not just look like it, but will be in it. Still, one of His most frequent commandments to us is “do not fear.” Why did He say not to fear? Because He is in control! He has us in the palm of His hand. We don’t have to be afraid. We also cannot question His goodness or let other people’s stories cause us to fear. He really is our Father who takes care of us. He won’t leave us or forsake us for any amount of time. If we believe that truth, then how is the enemy able to ravage us spiritually? I believe it’s through the massive separation the enemy has been able to accomplish in the body. Scripture tells us not to forsake the gathering of the body. When that was written, people were risking their very lives by coming together. Likewise, when it was written, God had foreknowledge of the situation in which we now find ourselves.
Again I say, this is not a word of condemnation for anyone. God is so good. There is no rejection in Him. But are you finding yourself feeling anxious and experiencing a real lack of peace? Are you feeling further away from God? Are you losing your passion for seeking Him and running after the things of Him? Are you losing your desire to fight the good fight and overcome every encumbrance that slows you down? Are you finding yourself in a parched land? If so, it could be because your lamp has grown dim. It’s not the Lord’s will for you to be there. If you find yourself there because of missing church, then you’re probably one of those who the enemy has deceived by calling it wisdom. How do we know the difference? If you are willing to hear the Lord, He will tell you. Our hearts have to be open to hearing Him and willing to be honest with Him. It’s not about judgment, but it is so important to take notice.
The bible tells us the story of the foolish virgins and their lamps growing dim. I don’t want to be one of the foolish ones. Unfortunately, I have found myself there several times during this season, but one glance at my Jesus causes the lamp of my heart to glow brighter again, and the excitement to find Him returns. The passion for running faster rises within me. The hunger to be with the body of Christ grows deeper. Please obey the Lord in this season. Don’t let fear keep you imprisoned! Remember, in the Song Of Songs, the Lord tells us to tend to our vineyards. It must be our first priority.