Reflect and Re-examineA timely invitation to pray and ponderBy Cadence staff: Brian and Aimee Kleager; Jeff and Candy Campbell

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in sweeping and unprecedented ways. All of us have experienced significant changes in our lives. There will be a date in the future when some, maybe all, restrictions will be lifted and the world will “rush back in.” Before that happens, we would like to encourage a time of Spirit-guided reflection that might impact the nature of the “new normal” we step into.

Following are a series of questions that invite you to reflect and re-examine. We encourage you to set aside several times over the next two weeks to pray and ponder. Don’t feel compelled to process all of the questions. The experience is most important, not that you complete every section. Realistically, some things will resonate with you more than others. Linger where you feel the Spirit leading you to linger. Probe deeper when you sense something deeper. And may God be your companion through it all.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you and grant you peace. NUMBERS 6:24-26

reflect /rɪˈflɛkt/ to think deeply or carefully about

re-examine /ri ɪgˈzæm ɪn/ examine again or further

Reflection 1:

Loss and LamentWhat are several things you have missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions? It could be routine things such as regular coffee appointments or it could be significant events such as a commencement or vacation.

What have you lost? What disappointments have you experienced?

Who have you missed?

Has anything moved you to tears in the past few weeks? What were the circumstances? Reflect on your feelings in those moments.

Re-examine“Lament is different than crying because lament is a form of prayer. It is more than just the expression of sorrow or the venting of emotion. Lament talks to God about pain. And it has a unique purpose: trust. It is a divinely-given invitation to pour out our fears, frustrations, and sorrows for the purpose of helping us to renew our confidence in God.”*

Write a Psalm of Lament. Consider the losses and griefs you listed above and use Psalm 13 as a format to compose a personal psalm of lament.

After you’ve written the Lament, read it out loud. Pay attention to how this makes you feel and consider sharing it with someone.

Lamenting Your Circumstances (v 1–2) How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I take counsel in my soul and

have sorrow in my heart all the day?How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

A Petition To The Lord (v 3–4)Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Renewed Confidence in the Lord (v 5–6)But I have trusted in your steadfast love;my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt

bountifully with me.

PSALM 13 ESV

*Mark Vroegop, Dare to Hope in God, April 6, 2019, desiringgod.org

Reflection 2:

Blessing and ThanksThis unique season has also brought new and special blessings into our lives for which we can give thanks to God from whom every good gift comes.

What have been some unexpected blessings and gifts you’ve experienced during the pandemic?

Have there been specific aspects of God’s nature that have stood out more so during this season? What are they and why do they stand out?

What has God been revealing to you about Himself?

Re-examineReflect on Psalm 34:1-5. Write a prayer of thanksgiving expressing your gratefulness for God’s goodness to you.

Every good gift and

every perfect gift is

from above, coming

down from the Father

of lights, with whom

there is no variation or

shadow due to change.

JAMES 1:17 ESV

Reflection 3:

Worry and LongingOften our emotions point to our deeper longings. When we feel anxious and worried we might be afraid of losing something we long for.

In what ways have you been anxious or prone to worry? When do you feel more susceptible to these feelings?

What does your anxiety or worry reveal?

Consider these areas of anxiety and what God might be showing you about your longings.

Re-examineRead Mark 10:46-52 and put yourself in the place of Bartimaeus. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “What is it that you want?”

Share with God your desires and the things for which you long. What does He have to say to you in your longings?

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

MARK 10:46-52 ESV

Reflection 4:

Isolation and PresenceAs followers of Jesus, even when we are isolated God is always with us; we are never alone. God’s presence with His people is displayed throughout the Bible and is a key part of who He is. For most of us, isolation has meant that we have experienced relationships in new ways.

In what ways have quarantine and isolation been good for you? Good for your family?

In what ways have you been aware of God’s presence? Have you experienced His presence in new or unique ways compared to your normal rhythms of life?

Where have you perhaps missed or not been tuned in to God’s presence in these days?

Re-examinePray through Psalm 96 or Psalm 138. Read a verse and then personalize it prayerfully to the Lord.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

PSALM 96: 1–2 ESV

Reflection 5:

Faith and ContentmentAs we walk with Jesus throughout life, He strengthens and purifies our faith in Him, often through trials (James 1:2–4, 1 Peter 1:6–7). Through the challenges of this season, He is calling us to faith.

In what ways has God been shaping your faith?

How would you describe this season of your faith journey? Is it growing deeper? Stronger? Being purified? Shrinking back? Are you actively participating or more passive?

What words do you think God would use about your faith in these days?

Re-examine In Philippians 4.10-13, Paul talks about learning the secret of being content in various circumstances.

What words would you use to describe your contentment in the Lord during this pandemic?

What is true of God that helps you, by faith, to be content in Him when other things push you towards being discontent?

In this you rejoice, though

now for a little while,

if necessary, you have

been grieved by various

trials, so that the tested

genuineness of your

faith—more precious than

gold that perishes though

it is tested by fire—may be

found to result in praise

and glory and honor at the

revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 PETER 1:6–7 ESV

Reflection 6:

Turn and ReturnWhile many aspects of life may have been shut down, our flesh certainly hasn’t shut down. It is good to pay attention to ways we have managed life on our own. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light through your moments and days as you ponder these questions.

Where do I need to turn away from sin?

When have I scrambled for control apart from God?

When have I run for comfort in things or people when I should have run to God?

Re-examine Reflect on Psalm 103. What do you observe in this psalm? Take time to talk about these observations with Jesus. What do you need to confess and repent? What does He want you to release and surrender to Him?

What would you like to say to Jesus? What are the truths of the Gospel He’s asking you to delight in and live out of?

On a separate piece of paper, write a letter expressing your heart’s desire to receive and experience His grace, forgiveness and His righteousness on your behalf.

Search me, O God, and

know my heart! Try me

and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any

grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way

everlasting!

PSALM 139:23-24 ESV

Reflection 7:

Time and EnergyIf you had a do-over with how you spent your time and energy over the last few months, what would you change (focus on things you can control)? Why would you change them? What can you do to make these changes as you move forward?

What have you done with your time and energy? Rate the following list:Have you been giving (L) Less Time (S) About Same Time (M) More Time

___ 1-on-1 Relationships __________________________________________________________________ Group Relationships __________________________________________________________________ Family Time __________________________________________________________________ Computer Work __________________________________________________________________ Video Calls __________________________________________________________________ Cooking __________________________________________________________________ Cleaning __________________________________________________________________ Organizing __________________________________________________________________ Gaming __________________________________________________________________ Planning __________________________________________________________________ Watching TV __________________________________________________________________ Exercising __________________________________________________________________ Social Media __________________________________________________________________ House-Projects __________________________________________________________________ ______________ __________________________________________________________________ ______________ __________________________________________________________________ ______________ _______________________________________________________________

Re-examine In any of the above ratings, is there a “value-statement” that you would add—value statements such as: I’m Glad, I’m Sad, I Deeply Regret? For example, “I did less computer work and I’m glad that I did less. It was good to not do as much in this season.” Write them above.

Are there any areas that have developed an unhealthy emphasis in your life? Circle these and then reflect on them deeper.

For Continued Reflecting and Re-Examining If you desire to keep reflecting and re-examining, below are more questions for you to ponder. What have you learned about:

Yourself• Your needs, longings, identity• Your priorities; have they changed? If so,

how and why? Are there priorities in your life that need to be rearranged in the short-term or in the long-term? Be intentional about listing them out.

God• Have there been particular biblical themes or

passages that have been significant for you? Write them down along with why they have been significant.

• Are there sermons, podcasts, or readings that have stirred you? What were they and why were they significant?

• Are you noticing certain truths about God being repeated—messages with a common thread? Reflecting on these type of questions might reveal some themes God is showing you.

Your Spouse• What attributes in your spouse have you

delighted in seeing?• How has this season shown you parts of

your relationship that had become routine that you do not want to take for granted going forward?

Your Family• Has the uniqueness of these times brought

out certain aspects that you hadn’t noticed before?

• What things are you doing differently as a family that you weren’t doing three months ago?

Life in General• What rhythms have you started that have

helped sustain you in this time? Are they ones you want to continue?

• What rhythms have you dropped? Are there ones you want to pick back up?

Community and One Another• So much of the Christian life is lived and

shared in community with one another. Is there someone you could process these reflections with? Someone you trust to share your grief and joy, your gifts and struggles, your hopes and longings?

• Write down the name of one or two people you would like to invite into this reflective journey. Ask them to meet, whether that is over Zoom or over socially-distanced coffee.

As a final encouragement, don’t bury these reflections too far away! As restrictions begin to lift and you look to resume a less isolated life, it will be good to resume with intentionally and with these thoughts helping shape your next season of life.

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