All of us know what it feels like to face the day of an exam. Hopefully, we feel prepared because we've listened in class, taken careful notes, aced quizzes, and diligently studied.
When test day comes, we browse through the exam. We say to ourselves: This look familiar. OK, I remember that. We then let out a breath. A couple things on the test seem like trick questions, muddled collections of sentences seemingly intended for our demise. We try to stay calm and complete what we know. This leaves us time to gather our thoughts about the questions that stump us.
Life is a bit like that now. Some parts of our current circumstances look familiar. Those who experienced the Great Depression or who remember the old folks talking about that era, see familiar themes in the anxiety expressed from the White House to U.S. Congress to Wall Street. But other situations look awfully unfamiliar, as if we woke up in another bed. What do we do then?
We follow what God says to believe. We pray for discernment and wait for his various responses throughout the day. It's like standing in an open field; the clouds are gathering, but we are listening for God's voice. Remember the story of Elijah? Imagine him bowed down and waiting for the sound of rain after three years of drought.
This is not the time to agree with the devil that God will not speak, that he will abandon us, that he will not accept our repentance, and that he ignore our cries to him. Say this, no matter how silly it may sound the next time the bill collector calls: God will. God does. God can.
Seek the strength of God. Paul wrote to Philippi that he could do all things through Christ. So can we. Our faith matters all the time, but its worth is proven during times like these.
To strengthen my own faith, I need more Word and more prayer. I also will lean on God's gift to me: the movies. I am a story-loving person and a good film helps me exercise the truth I know. Films such as The Patriot and "Gladiator" are among my favorites. I don't look at them for their historic value -- both films have been criticized for the "history" they portray. I don't recommend them to children or others who are troubled by its violence. But when I want to be reminded of stories of survival, choices, and leadership, I like looking at them for that purpose.
I'll also pull out my "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. Those films remind me to be honorable, even in dishonorable times, to remember that Mordor will fall, no matter what it looks like.
Judy Howard Ellis
Great Depression and film links courtesy of Wikipedia.com; Paul and Philippi link courtesy of Studylight.org
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