If you’re like me, you’re counting the days/weeks we’ve all been under stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we all have gone through the phases of adjusting to this “new normal,” there will be a time when the public will be able to publicly gather again.
With that, I wanted to share a few lessons that I gained from watching Michelle Obama’s Netflix documentary, “Becoming,” about the Forever FLOTUS’ book tour and transition from the White House years to her own new normal. These are just a few lessons I found that would be helpful for us all as we get ready to transition into more stable operations in the world around us…whenever that happens.
“It’s not getting back on track, but it’s creating my next track…”
Similar to Mrs. Obama’s time in the White House during President Barack Obama’s terms in office, we too have ourselves in a season that has taken us out of our normal context and into one where we have little control. During this time you may have time to reflect, connect with others in new ways, or even gotten a chance to read Obama’s book, Becoming, which this documentary was based on. While meeting with some Black students, the former First Lady was asked about her transition back to a somewhat normal life and her response was about creating her next track.
What we can learn from this and apply to our own seasons while in quarantine is to be willing to let go of what we thought life should have been and embrace what could be. You may have had travel plans, relationship plans, career plans, etc. for 2020 that were stalled or cancelled. You may have said or heard others say how much they want things to “go back to normal,” but that form of normal may never come back. When we are on the other side of this, what will be our normal? This is a more personal question to ask yourself, but what will you do with the new you and lessons you’ve gained from this time? Apply those to your life with a resilient focus on the path God is setting before you.
“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 NLT
“Have perspective as you’re going through it and don’t let this time shape what will be.”
This above lesson was her response to Native American students in Arizona who have to attend school in the midst of possible racial tensions within a Trump administration. What we can take from this advice for our own lives is to stay present but don’t get so discouraged by the present circumstances that we believe this is all life will have to offer.
In times of uncertainty, we can have a hard time seeing when change will come. From global pandemics to the changes in our personal lives that we’ve been praying for years to occur, the obstacles that we face in the current season can reveal what we’re capable of instead of hinder our forward trajectory to what’s next. Prayerfully, this historical moment in the year 2020 will not shape the rest of the decade that we’ve just entered in. It may change how we do certain things in everyday life, but this doesn’t shape our identities and who we are in Christ Jesus.
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37 NLT
“Don’t look around, don’t look beyond them, look them in the eye and take in the story.”
Many of us long to be close to those we do life with once again. We are relational creatures, and while we have had technology to our advantage, the freedom to enjoy one another’s presence has been missed. As we prepare for whenever we’re able to freely engage with others in person again, let’s remember to be present with them like never before. Remove distractions, remove any social awkwardness and just listen. Michelle Obama shared this advice as she was on her book tour. She shared that it helped keep her stay connected with everyday people.
We can do the same by sharing our stories from this past season and be intentional about seeing and listening to people instead of just hearing them. In such a distracting world, it means a lot when you feel that you’re seen and able to share how you feel. This goes with churches, jobs, small groups and community-based events as well. May our lives be able to witness to others like never before!
“Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.” Acts 2:46-47 TPT
