It is what it is.
Have you ever heard this expression?
It is what it is. Things are what they are. Some situations or life choices are out of our control so just accept life as it comes and drive on. You can’t change what’s done so get over it.
This was how I used to define this expression.
However, these five small words, seemingly insignificant on their own, took on a whole new meaning after hearing my pastor preach a sermon on them.
Our view of life in this fallen world is very limited. We only know what’s happened in the past so we do our best to learn from the mistakes we’ve made and celebrate the victories won. We plan for the future the best we can but have no idea what tomorrow holds.
“We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands.” ~ Proverbs 16:1 TLB
When I was a teenager, I committed this verse to memory from the translation of the Living Bible. Its meaning couldn’t be more clear. I imagine that’s why it’s my favorite translation. While it’s wise to plan for the future, I know that my steps are ordered and directed by God. So, I make my plans then allow God to reveal His plan as He sees fit, then I trust Him to walk me into it. Sounds easy, right?
Not quite.
When I built my home a few years ago, I visited the construction site almost every day. I watched as it transformed from a vacant, muddy lot to a concrete foundation with walls to separate the rooms that would become my place of safety and protection from the outside world. Once the walls were in place, I watched as the electricians
pulled wire throughout the entire structure to enable me to have power in each room. After the power was in place, insulation was put in over the wires for protection, then sheetrock over the insulation and finally, the walls were ready to be painted. It was quite a process. It took about four months from start to finish and I enjoyed watching each step in the process. This home had all I needed to get through everyday life.
As all of you, I am quarantined during this shelter-in-place we now finds ourselves in. I’m quite sure I can say, with 100% accuracy, that none of us planned for this to happen. Who would plan for something as horrible as a pandemic to invade our lives as it has? While it wasn’t in our plan, God knew it was coming. While I do not understand all that is happening nor do I know why, one thing is sure. God is still on His throne and He’s still in control. I believe that with every ounce of my being.
Over the past few days, I have realized that time has become very messed up. I’m sure most of you have realized this as well. In my normal routine, I would be at work from 9 to 5. However, since being quarantined, my days seem to run together. It’s hard to keep track of what day it is. But as long as I work the 40 hours required of me, all is well. However, nothing is set. Nothing is planned. And, very honestly, it has rocked my world a little.
Since the divorce, the routine I have established over the past few years, has enabled me to focus on healing and recovering from the abuse I endured for a very long time. Having a specific place to be each day for a certain amount of hours, helped me deal with the grief I had to feel in order to be healed. It also distracted me from it for a bit. And it was going very well.
Since the shelter-in-place mandate was put into place, I have been out of that routine. The first few weeks were nice because it gave me a break from having to get dressed up each morning as well as not having to fight morning rush traffic on my commute to the office. Now, it takes me no time to get ready for work. I get up, brush my teeth, wash my face, throw on some comfy clothes, then sit down to my computer, with coffee in hand, and get started on my day. While all of that sounds great and I can do my job from the comfort of my own home, I see a huge error in this new way of doing things.
Where is Jesus in all of that?
Before the quarantine, I would listen to praise and worship music on my drive into work or I’d listen to a sermon on YouTube. It was special time with Jesus every morning and I looked forward to it.
Since being at home, that part of my daily routine has suffered.
When life gets interrupted with the unexpected, the enemy loves nothing more than seeing God’s kids distracted so he can redirect our focus onto the troubles of what is going on around us. Which, in return, takes our focus off what God is doing in us.
I awoke this morning feeling very down and, for lack of a better word, disconnected. So, after putting the coffee onto brew, I turned toward the living room window and noticed the dogwood tree I planted last year, was budding back to life. I was afraid it had died during our last frost but not so. I quickly found my shoes so I could go out and get a closer look. As I stood there, with tears streaming down my cheeks, I heard the Spirit whisper, “I make all things new. Just like your heart.” The dogwood tree didn’t die. It was just in its normal routine of being dormant in the winter. God was at work in the unknown to bring it back to life, just as He does every Spring.
I walked back into the house and the fresh aroma of coffee filled the room. After pouring the fresh coffee into my cup, I walked over to where my bible and devotion book were on the ottoman in front of my couch. The daily scripture was Philippians 4:10-13 but the verse that practically leapt off the page was 13…
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
~ Philippians 4:13 AMP
Then it all became very clear.
I know I have electricity within the walls of my home. Not only did I see the wires go in during construction, I have since used the power within those walls to charge my cell phone and my computer, as well as to bring light into each room. It’s there and is ready to be used. But it certainly doesn’t chase after me and demand I plug in my phone or computer when the batteries get low. I have to realize the batteries are low and will die without a charge. I must choose to plug them into the power that courses through the walls of my home to bring them back to life. To full power.
And my heart is no different.
I know I have the explosive power of Jesus within my heart. It infuses me and courses through my veins. I was there when it happened and remember it like it was yesterday. I have used His power time and again and I know what it can do. It’s there and ready to be used. It’s in me, it infuses me but I must choose to use it. Jesus isn’t going to chase after me and demand I spend time in prayer or listen to a sermon or praise Him through music. He’s given me a free will. He has given me the option to choose Him or choose to fill my lonely and disconnected heart with something else. While there’s nothing wrong with watching a movie or playing games on my phone or scrolling through Instagram, they must not take His place in my heart or it will suffer. Just as my phone needs to have its battery charged, my heart does as well.
It does not matter what I face in this life, Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty! Whether it be abuse, betrayal, divorce, depression, grief, quarantine, or shelter-in-place. It’s up to me to ensure that even when time is messed up and my routine is out of sorts, I must not lose sight of or become distracted away from the One who is so worthy of my time, my worship, and my praise.
Where we are today, during this shelter-in-place, it is what it is. We are quarantined to our homes and must maintain social distancing. However, it’s not what it seems. This pandemic wasn’t a surprise to God. He knew it was coming. He knows all things. But I want to say right now, I do not believe He caused it or is punishing this world with it. Just as I believe that God did not cause the abuse I suffered at the hand of my ex or my painful divorce. We live in a fallen, sinful world and situations such as this happen because of choices made by individuals who inhabit this earth. All of us are free to choose what we do in this life and there are consequences that come as a result, even for those who weren’t the ones who chose to make them in the first place. What I do believe, with all my heart, is that God causes all things to work together for good to those who are called, according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). I also believe what the enemy meant for evil, God is making for good. (Genesis 50:20).
Just as God was at work during the winter months, in the unknown, with my little dogwood tree, He is at work in the unknown with all that concerns our lives. He sees us. He is for us. But it’s up to us to allow His power to recharge us. We must choose Him every day. Sometimes several times during the course of a day. I know I do. It’s so easy to become disconnected from Him with all the fear and anxiety that is rampant at this time but He is there. Always. He promised to never leave us or forsake us.(Deuteronomy 31:6). That brings such comfort to my heart.
While I do not know what tomorrow holds, I leave the details with Him and live to be obedient today. While I may plan for the future, I leave the details with Him and trust Him to lead me there in His time and in His way. While I do not know the reason for why we’re in this season of sickness and quarantine, I leave the details with Him and know He is in control.
It is what it is but it’s not what it seems.
Although I cannot see it, within my walls, electricity is sheltered.
Although I cannot see it, within my heart, His power is sheltered.
I can see neither one with my physical eyes but, still, I know they are there.
Both ready to assist.
Both ready to recharge.
Both, infused with power!