Serenity in San Pedro Sula

Wow, these last few weeks have not looked anything like we anticipated. As I’m writing this, two-thirds of our squad (including myself) is stuck in quarantine at a hotel in San Pedro Sula, Honduras due to positive covid tests and exposure to those with covid. The remainder of our squad sits in quarantine in a hotel in Newark, New Jersey for the exact same reasons. From missing out on ministry to canceled debrief activities to changing our next ministry placements multiple times, these few weeks have been nothing short of chaotic.

 

But through all of this, one thing remains the same. The Lord meets us in the chaos and grants a peace and serenity that surpasses all human understanding.

 

It’s been just a few hours since all of us here in San Pedro Sula were retested for covid in hopes that we can finally leave the country of Honduras and venture on in our journey with the World Race. Amidst the nerves and anxiousness surrounding test results, the Lord brought my mind and heart to the sweetest of prayers: The Serenity Prayer.

 

 

 

 

God, give me grace to accept 

with serenity the things that 

cannot be changed, courage to 

change the things which should 

be changed, and the wisdom to 

distinguish the one from the other. 

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a 

pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful

world as it is, not as I would

have it, Trusting that You will

make all things right.

If I surrender to Your will, so that

I may be reasonably happy in

this life, and supremely happy

with You forever in the next.

Amen.

 

What a petition to the Lord (and a timely word for that matter) asking for calmness and peace in all matters of life. For strength and courage to change what’s in our control and for acceptance of those that are not. 

 

In this prayer and in this life, we can be confident on these things:

 

God directs us – The Lord knows what He’s doing. He knows where we’re going, with whom, and why. God’s righteousness and providence control our paths, steps, and directions.

 

Proverbs 20:24 – A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?

 

 

 

There are some things we simply cannot change – There are so many things in this world that are simply just out of our control. Man does not have the ability to change his family tree, science, or factual history. Debating and questioning factual matters are of no helpful consequence and only results in confusion and unrest.

 

Titus 3:9 – But avoid foolish controversies and analogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

 

 

 

We need God’s help to discern wisely – I don’t know about you, but in this crazy thing we called life, I certainly don’t have it all together. I’m well aware that I am utterly incapable of doing it on my own, no matter how hard I try. I cannot lean on my own understanding. It is easy to observe what is readily visible by the eye, but the meaning behind what’s obvious is not always understood. Take the weather in the following passage of scripture. It cannot be altered regardless of human attempts to control it. However, one can prepare and make decisions based on clear objective observations and wisdom given to us from the Lord.

 

Matthew 16:3 – (Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees) “and in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.’”

 

(Drawing by JD Merwin)

 

The power to overcome sin comes from God – On our own, we might believe the lies that we are hopelessly unable to control the urges to indulge in the sins and desires of our flesh. That we cannot overcome the struggles of our life, alcoholism, hypocrisy, depressions, pornography, homosexuality, and the list goes on. We may even believe it’s because of a genetic predisposition or simply how we were made. And while it is true that one cannot control sinful urges within our own strength and power (Hebrews 2:17-18*), we can realize and recognize the power to overcome sinful desires of the flesh is only by and through the Spirit of God (Romans 8:12-13**).

 

*Hebrews 2:17-18 – For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

 

**Romans 8:12-13 – Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

 

 

 

We must surrender to God’s good and perfect will, not continue in our sinful ways – No matter how diligently we might think we have it all together, we know what we’re doing, etc. we must surrender our ways to the Lord. The ways and desires of man and those of God do not always match. We must submit and surrender our own wills and desires to the Lord and trust in His perfect will. His way is better. SO much better.

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

 

 

Lord, as I sit in isolation in this hotel room, anxiously awaiting the results of our covid tests and all that you have in store for us, I am in awe that you are still holding this all together. Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change and the faith and trust to believe in your process through it all. You know me best. You know my needs. I trust that you are daily providing me with everything I need and for that I can’t thank you enough. Amen.

 

 

 

Some additional scriptures of serenity to pray for wisdom and courage:

 

Psalm 1 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

 

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

 

Colossians 3:16 – Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

 

James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

 

Deuteronomy 31: 6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord you God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

2 Timothy 1:7 – For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

 

1 Corinthians 13:16 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

 

Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.