Intro..
It all started with a simple question!
My sister asked me,’ What is standing in the gap prayer?’
Month: March 2020.
March is usually a vibrant month, when spring is in the air, splash of colours all around, and the climate is crisp and nippy! The spring blossoms are in full bloom, tiny new leaves sprouting on trees, bright coloured butterflies hovering over the sun-drenched flowers, and the dazzling dragonflies flitting over the lush green lawns. The atmosphere is filled with the joy of new life and new beginnings!
But, the spring of 2020 turned out to be a horror month with a brand new virus running amok. It was a global outbreak. A countrywide lockdown was imposed to contain the pandemic.
The 21st-century world was in utter shock and chaos, having been brought down on its knees by a powerful and invisible enemy- the Corona Virus. These were indeed scary and fearful times!
Standing in the Gap Prayer
It was in this background, many religious leaders were organising online ‘Standing in the Gap’ prayer sessions and seeking God’s intervention to eradicate the virus from the face of the world. The sentence ‘standing in the gap prayer’ intrigued my sister. I explained to her its meaning , and jotted down notes, which I put away safely in a file. I took delight in writing down those notes! Thus started my note-writing habit during the lockdown 2020 period.
My Note-Taking Habit
The following incidents made me pen down more notes, which I tucked away safely from prying eyes.
1. I was saddened by the unforgiving nature of a few Christians around me! Forgiveness is the basic concept of Christianity. Isn’t forgiveness all about Christ and the cross? That made me create notes on forgiveness which went straight into my file.
2. As Covid 19 spread, many prosperity preachers professed that Psalm 91 is a lucky charm and a magic formula that keeps one safe from the plague. Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer for comfort and security and against fear. I put these thoughts into writing, only to hide them!
3. A 2-min silent prayer request, at a certain time, was met with a couple of resistance. I was appalled and could not understand the logic. We do send up group prayers at the same time while worshipping in churches and prayer groups, don’t we?
The Bible says..’ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’ James 5:16 NIV.
Again I dashed off some notes about ‘Who is a righteous person?
4. Subsequently, while I was at sea about God’s Will in my life and how to discern it, I studied the subject and put it in writing. That’s right, you guessed it, the notes found their way into the file!
My Web Site...
By now, it was mid-2020. The lockdown was still in effect. I was at home, depressed and sat staring aimlessly at the ceiling. Any writing on the ceiling? NO . But then, I suddenly got this urge, a compelling compulsion to start a website. For what? NO IDEA.
Before I could even comprehend that impulse, I was browsing for a good host and an user-friendly platform for a website. Name of the site? Well, I always had a fancy for the idiom ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’ So, why not? Before I knew it, in a matter of hours, the website Silverliningonclouds.com was all mine. I was on cloud nine!
When sanity returned, I panicked. What do I write? What do I do? I felt stupid for being impulsive. But there was an unexplained warm feeling of ecstasy and peace within me.
I sat chewing and chewing the cud about my next step.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Isaiah 41:10
I gathered courage and strength from the above awesome bible verse.
Building my website with no help!
Ok, since I do now own a site, I might as well build it. Of course, I had no previous experience, and besides being lockdown time, asking assistance from professionals or anyone was ruled out. But armed with instructions from umpteen tutorials found on the internet I finally managed to build the site. I did struggle a bit, but I enjoyed every moment of the learning process!
Seeking Guidance..
What do I do now? How do I go forward?
As always, I prayed for guidance and my mind flashed back to my saved notes in the dusty file. I had spent hours writing them and what is the use if it is hidden. Why not share it? Omg! Share it? To the world? I vehemently shook off that thought as preposterous as I had no confidence or courage to publish them. Am I worthy? I still have loads to learn. Doubts of incompetence swirled in my head. Am I not unqualified and amateurish to write about God’s word?
Then a teeny weeny thought crept in. I can learn more as I prepare notes by referring, can’t I? Since I have to consult the word of god to write, I will be spending more time with God. Well…hmmm. That’s an incentive and a motivation!
Jesus has instructed us to share the good news of salvation, forgiveness, and grace. Maybe, my simple notes will touch someone, somewhere! By mid-July 2020 my website silverliningonclouds.com was launched.
An Amazing Journey
Yes, by the Grace of God, I have indeed come a long long way.
Right from spending years listening to Christian self-help and feel-good sermons during my turbulent times, to migrating to Biblical and Christ-centered sermons, to arranging flowers in our church altar, to reading the Scripture during church services, to counseling and praying for the weary and heartbroken people of other faiths, coming to church to pray on weekdays, it has indeed been an amazing journey!
Truely, God has steered me , each baby step of the way.
My Trip to the Holy Land
The most memorable blessing God bestowed on me was beyond anything I ever dreamt of. It was my trip to the Holy Land. I got the opportunity to see, touch, and walk all the places Christ had lived, and ministered on this earth. It was the most awesome experience in my entire life. I am ever so grateful and thankful for this blessing. It enriched my life!
My Calling!
This is how I evolved gradually to become a Christian blogger. Nothing was planned, everything just happened. But, I will in all sincerity and humility keep writing, in my own simple way, hoping that it touches someone, somewhere!
Nothing would have been possible without His Amazing Grace, Guidance, and Mercy.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1:
My Prayer as a Christian Blogger
Would you be interested to know about The Confessions of a Lockdown Survivor?
Would love to hear what you think…
Amen
Thank you Hams🙏🏼
Babes .. beautiful …..
Vatsal 🤗🙏🏼