Reopening. There's a word we never expected to be using to describe our towns, our nation, our churches. Reopening is the current word, and with it there are so many questions. Too fast? Too slow? Should we hold this event? Should we go to this place? Should we wait to do this? Go ahead with that plan? Is this the right time? Yeah, a lot of questions. And they affect each one of us differently. 

How are you facing the reopening questions in your life? Are you one to forge ahead or do you prefer to hunker down for a bit longer? What about the people in your life? What kind of reopening decisions are they making and how do you feel about them? 

This reopening process puts each one of us in the same predicament with different details. How do we handle this? Let me propose a guiding Scripture. If something is repeated in the Bible it is worth paying attention to and this verse is quoted verbatim twice in Proverbs: 

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prudent. Now, there's a word we don't use that often. To be prudent is to be "careful in the way that you make decisions or spend money so that you avoid unnecessary risks" (dictionary.cambridge.org)  Prudent people avoid unnecessary risks. Notice the word unnecessary. There are real dangers. There are risks that must be taken in order to live in the world, in order to live for God, in order to fulfill His purposes. There are times when God asks us to face the dangers head on. But then, there are the times when we are hard-headed, selfish and stubborn. Those are the times when we ask ourselves to face things head on. 

There are people who may declare that they are bold and faith-filled, but are actually foolish and taking unnecessary risks. They aren't being prudent, they are putting God to the test. When we take unnecessary risks, we put ourselves out in places that God has NOT asked us to be and call it faith. Boldness takes the risks that are necessary to accomplish God’s purpose, not our own. 

True faith looks to God for guidance and wisdom. WISDOM. Wise people know what is appropriate for the situation. What is wisdom? The way I like to define wisdom is "to see things from God’s perspective". When I ask Him to help me pull back and see things from His vantage point, that is when I begin I to understand what I need to do. 

I am foolish, a "simpleton" as the Proverbs say, when I "go blindly on", when I rush ahead without asking for help. Then I presume to know what God, or someone else, wants and take unnecessary risks. I have been there and you have too so we might as well admit it. 

So, what do we do now? Do we stop all activity until things are absolutely safe? It doesn't seem like that will be happening anytime soon. And what do we do when others make reopening choices that they are comfortable with and we are not? How do we navigate this unusual and frightening reality? 

Let's go back to our proverbs.

Be prudent and take the necessary precautions: We have to recognize the reality as it is. COVID is real. People are still getting sick and some of them get seriously sick. Some of them get so sick that their lives are in danger and we don't know which people those are going to be. That is the reality. Do we live in fear of what might be? No! Here's another Scripture to guide as as we make prudent choices: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬) God promises to keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is steadfastly focused on Him because of trust. So, take precautions and trust. Foolish people press on on and suffer the consequences for their actions. Wise people press on with trust and precautions in place and thrive. 

Do what you can. Trust God for what you can't. You have no control over what other people do, even the people you love. Your loved ones may make decisions you believe are foolish. That can apply at any time, not just in the midst of the pandemic. What do you do when a loved one makes a foolish decision? Remember that your highest call is to love as Christ loved, not to correct. So, you listen. If they ask you for advice, you give it. If you believe the Holy Spirit is prompting you to say something, then pray first! Ask God for wisdom in how to address it. Look for the right opportunity. Say what you have to say. Then...let it go...That is the hardest aspect of the whole equation. Part of trusting God is letting Him do the convincing. Do what you can. Trust Him for what you can't. 

Take precautions, but set your mind on peace. Peace can only overtake us as we determine to trust God, and that might mean some time of introspection to recognize our own tension and concerns. When our concerns involve our loved ones, we need God to help us separate that facts from the fear, the real desire to help from the need to control. Yup, there’s that word. Control.

We have to be honest with ourselves. From the Garden of Eden forward every human being has had a desire to control. In the Garden the words were to "be like God." Most of us don't recognize when we are operating out of that desire. Do you? I have been learning to recognize my own controlling tendencies. I usually call it "trying to help." Maybe that sounds familiar to you?

I really do want to help. But here's a pretty good guide: When you try to help someone that wants to make their own decisions, and didn't ask for your help, you are really trying to control. What if I make suggestions or go ahead and take a task on without being asked? Admirable, right? Supportive? If it is unwanted, nope. That, my friend, is control at work. 

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can do is to simply be available. Our current culture is more independent and self-reliant than Americans have ever been. From the "terrible twos" on up, for better or for worse, that is the way it is. So, the best thing you can do, the best way to help, is to observe, offer and wait. Wait to be asked. People want a "guide by their side" rather than an expert telling them what to do. They are more likely to accept your advice when they ask for it. You can’t be wise for someone else. You can only be wise in your own actions. 

Dear Friend, none of us, not one, has ever been through anything remotely like this before. The only protocol we have is to be prudent, take precautions and set our minds on the peace found in trusting God. When I really believe that He is in control, I don't need to "help" as much. I can let Him do the helping.

It's tricky, Dear Friend, but we can do it by His grace, because that is the faith-filled choice!

Key thought: Do what is wise and trust God with the rest. 

A Scripture to consider: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A YES challenge: Think of a specific situation you are facing as things open up. What precautions do you need to take? How can you better help those around you? Determine what wise action God is showing you to take and then pray through until you reach a place of trust. 

Prayer: God, as I face this new normal there are so many variables. Even as I do my best to take precautions, there is no guarantee that anything will go smoothly since others around me don't seem to take the situation seriously. Help me to be as wise as I can and trust You with all the factors I can't control, that includes some of the decisions the people I love are making. I love You and want to honor You, even in this time of uncertainty. Amen.