Opinion
God gives the strength we need during lockdown
As Ruth Lilley faces the challenges of the coronavirus crisis, in particular home schooling, she remembers that it is God’s strength that keeps her going.
The world is a very different place at the moment. Over the last few months, life has changed for us all. Change for us, as a family, is that we are now doing school at home. Also, I have become grateful for ‘screen-time’ as it means we can see our family and friends - even though we cannot be with them.
I know that I am not able to do all this on my own. We are now about to begin week five of ‘school at home’ and it has been a really difficult journey. I might be a teacher, but I am not necessarily the teacher that my children want! This might be the only time I hear them saying that they really want to be at school.
We are finding our way by having a routine, yet adapting this routine as we need to. I am discovering more about the learning styles of my children and they are discovering more about perseverance and resilience. We get it wrong and mess it up, but when we do, we say sorry and try again. I am noticing the better days are when I have lowered my expectations.
In the Bible, Paul the Apostle writes about God’s power being made perfect in my weakness:
‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness…It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness... I just let Christ take over! And so, the weaker I get, the stronger I become.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (The Message)
As I said, I am not able to do this on my own. I have to rely on God as my strength. To allow His grace to cover me, so I can try to show that grace to my children. To know that the best choice I can make is to ‘let Christ take over’.
If I try and do things in my strength, it all comes tumbling down. Therefore, I have to make time – as the day begins – to fill up on the Truth. To know that I am loved and that I walk in victory. To hold on to hope. To simply do today, just as my Heavenly Father asks. To admit that I am weak, so that I can stand in His strength.
Although, I may have begun my day in this way, I know it does not guarantee a good day. There will be bumps, twists and turns throughout the day. Then I can go back to the Truth, which means I can get up and try again. As I do this, I can reaffirm that God’s grace is sufficient, He is the strength I need.
Or maybe I might be a bit stubborn and keep trying in my strength. Deep down, I know I am not making the best choice, however. In that moment, I am too proud to make the better choice. It is then that I know that I am truly covered by grace.
Amidst all this change, I know the One who has not changed and who never will. My strength is found in Him which enables me to journey on. It might be one step forward and two steps back, but steps that will always be accompanied by my Great Big God, who holds me in His hands.
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash
Ruth Lilley has recently returned to teaching at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.