Special Eight-Week Series:
Calm in the Storm
Navigating rough waters in faith
Week 3: Losing and Learning
by, Yanelis Lopez, Ministry Director
Trying to write these days has become an arduous task. Being out of my daily routine makes me feel lost and puzzled. These last few weeks have been “interesting”, to say the least. Reflecting on these times, I have discovered that I have been in the midst of deep mourning for the loss of many lives (even though I don’t know them, it hurts deeply). I have also been grieving the loss of many things that I have taken for granted. I realized that sometimes in life we not only mourn for the people we love and lose but also many other things.
And what have I lost? Well, the certainty of feeling healthy and without imminent danger. Now, as soon as a strange itch or pain in my throat appears, I begin to worry. I’ve lost the freedom to decide to go to a public place (especially on these sunny days) and just walk around surrounded by people. I’ve lost the ability to go shopping at the market without first having to draw up a plan on how to disinfect everything once I come back home. I’ve lost being able to visit friends and families without fear of touching each other, hugging, or even having a close conversation. If I continue with the list of things I took for granted, it would not end. And that is because life has truly changed completely. However, in the midst of all the challenges of this time I have also learned a lot.
What have I earned? Greater awareness of what really has value in life - the deep desire to be with the people I love most. I’ve spent many hours alone with my thoughts discovering what I really believe and what I don't. Because when the possibility of death is close to you and yours, is when all our beliefs and concepts are really put to test. More than anything I’ve earned the absolute certainty that even when everything has gone out of control, the God who controls everything protects me in the center of His hand. Honestly, that has been my only way out. Leaving my thoughts completely to Him, I have not known how to do anything else. Everything is going to be fine, and I am sure that at the end of all this, we are truly going to be a different generation.
Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
