LightGrams
March 26, 2020
Volume 24, Number 11
The photo I received summed up the situation before us: Pictured was a Las Vegas style gaming table. Instead of poker chips, there were rolls of toilet paper instead. Do I need to explain the meaning of this to anyone in the U.S.?
We’re not alone. Yahoo News carried a story about a German website that offers a “toilet paper calculator”. By entering how many rolls you have and your average daily usage, it will show how long your stock should last. The article then said, “Generally speaking, people tend to wildly overestimate their TP needs, the website says.”
Note that word “wildly”. It’s a good description of much of the behavior observed in recent days. Toilet paper is a legitimate need, but do we need to have a few months’ worth squirreled away? Fights have been observed between people seeking to add to their stockpile.
Toilet paper was not a commodity in Biblical times, but worry was a common problem. Jesus spoke about it in Matthew 6: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25,26).
This is not to say that God will send us shipments of food, clothing, or toilet paper as we calmly recline on our couches. Even the birds have to put forth effort. But it does teach that God makes sure that His people have what they need (which may not always include things they “want”).
Consider another statement of this promise for all who are God’s: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Those are powerful promises!
The French philosopher Montaigne pointed to the tendency of many to hold exaggerated fears: “My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes – most of which never happened.” Why do we allow ourselves to be so fearful?
Undoubtedly we are facing a great crisis in our world. That’s even more reason to practice what Paul taught in Philippians 4:6,7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This is a time to practice our faith!
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2020, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.