30 Mar Toilet Paper….really?!?!
If toilet paper is where we find control and security in our lives, we’re in big trouble!
I’m sure you’ve heard the crazy stories of people hoarding toilet paper, among other things, and how stores are running out and having to ration the number of packages they’re allowing people to purchase. I heard a Psychologist, who was being interviewed on the news, say the reason people are buying up toilet paper is because it gives them a sense of control, when their lives feel out of control. I’m not sure why toilet paper but if that’s what brings people comfort and makes them feel in control, it’s just proof positive that apart from God we are utterly foolish.
I’m not trying to belittle people or make fun of them and I’m certainly not saying their fear isn’t real. It just reminds me of Romans 1, where God says that He can be clearly known through His creation, yet people reject the Creator and turn to creation to find comfort and security. Creation was never meant to bring us satisfaction, it is merely a sign that is pointing us to the One who can satisfy. Toilet paper, as wonderful as it is, was never designed to be where we find security. True security can only be found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our world is just like Israel in Jeremiah 2:13, we have committed two evils. We have forsaken our Creator, “the fountain of living waters,” and dug for ourselves empty cisterns/wells that can hold no water – wells made out of toilet paper! Go back and read Jeremiah chapter 2, it is fascinating to see how similar we are to the nation of Israel from 2600 years ago. God was faithful to them and yet they rejected Him, sound familiar? God was able to provide for them, care for them, rescue them, and yet they turned their back on Him. See any similarities?
God is the same yesterday, as He is today, as He will be tomorrow. God is steadfast, enduring, long-suffering, never changing, and perfect. Just as He rescued Israel over and over again thousands of years ago, He’ll rescue us now if we’re willing to put our faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. Matthew 6 is a great reminder to all of us, that if we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we don’t need to be anxious about anything. God promises that if we seek first His kingdom and righteousness that He will take care of all our needs. Verse 27 reminds us that not even our precious toilet paper is of much benefit, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
For those of us who have put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior, let’s stay faithful like the remnant of Israel, who didn’t turn away from God but stayed trusting in Him, thereby bringing Him much glory. We have a great opportunity to show the world that in the face of trials and hardship, we stand firm in our faith, on the Rock of hope, knowing that He can and will give us a peace that passes all understanding! We are like the wise man and have built our houses on the Rock and no matter what beats against our houses, nothing can bring them down “because they have been founded on the rock.”
For those of you who may be reading this and have not put your faith in Jesus, can I just encourage you with a couple of the best-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16&17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Toilet paper is great for what it was created for, but it makes a terrible foundation to build your life on. In this time of chaos and panic, the only thing that can truly bring security is a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to go, why not turn to your Heavenly Father and the free gift of His Son Jesus!
