Please Disinfect!

Many years ago I was standing at the airport in Kuala Lumpur and was totally surprised to see many people wearing masks, and there were disinfectant dispensers everywhere. I didn't know what to do with it.

Today it's all changed. Everybody knows what these things are for. Everyone, whether at the doctor's office or out shopping, has these dispensers in front of them and has used them diligently over the years to apply protection through them.

So many times we've also heard, "Do your part to save lives." Disinfecting should be a part of that. Psalm 51:12 says, "Let me AGAIN experience the joy of your deliverance…" (Psalm 51:12 NET)

Joy is something that our circumstances—or just such a pandemic—can take from us. And that's where God wants to save you!

Protect yourself from having your joy taken away. Go to the One who gives you that protection!

Yes, imagine God as such a disinfectant dispenser. Think carefully about how widespread these are now. But know this: "God is much more present than the disinfectant dispensers!"

God is everywhere, as we can read in the Psalms, "You are all around me, behind me and in front of me. You hold me safe in your hand.” (Psalm 139:5 NiRV).

Now it is up to you whether you make use of God's protection from sadness or not, just as you are free to choose whether or not to use the disinfectants that are put in front of you. I know you don't always "feel" like it. Especially when you are fully loaded with shopping bags, then it is a bother to put them down to disinfect your hands.

Is it really more of an effort to put down those burdens that make you so sad right now in order to reach for joy? Really? If you knew that this moment with God would give you protection from sadness, would you actually give it up?

Try it, reach out, and experience what David experienced:

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." (Psalm 94:19 NIV)

You are a miracle!

Déborah