Noah was told about the flood. He trusted God, and built the ark.

Joseph was told about the coming famine. He trusted God, and built the warehouses.

David was told about Saul’s betrayal. He trusted God, and left the palace for the wilderness. 10 years later he was king.

Joseph and Mary were told that Herod wanted to kill their baby. They trusted God, and left for Egypt.

Paul was told about the risk of going to Jerusalem. He trusted God, and went with eyes wide open knowing that new doors would be open to share the Gospel with leaders and authorities, all the way to Rome and Caesar himself.

We need to understand that trusting God looks different from person to person, from place to place. To trust God doesn’t mean you don’t take precautions. It means you can have guidance going ahead.

On the next few weeks some of us will trust God and stay at home. We will keep our children and our community safe. We will trust God by staying safe so others won’t be hurt.

Some of us will trust God and still go to work. Doctors, nurses, paramedics and other professionals in the health industry will be on the frontlines of this battle. They will need prayer, love and grace. They will extra portions of courage and patience.

Some of us will trust God and look for opportunities to bless the most vulnerable. Doing shopping and delivering for them, making sure they are doing ok, being ready to help them if necessary. Some of us will spend hours on the phone, writing messages, keeping people connected.

Some of us will trust God and will keep working to keep our communities going. Supermarkets, grocery stores, toilet paper factories, transportation industry, teachers, service industry… you name it. Some of us will keep doing jobs that most of us have ignored how important they are. Some of us will learn to show more appreciation.

So whatever you do, trust God and be wise. Trust God and pray hard. Trust God and keep loving. Whatever “loving your neighbour as yourself” looks like over the next few weeks or months, do it with an open heart full of hope.

Be full of faith and wisdom, courage and discernment. We will see this through.