Home Base by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
Do you remember playing the game of “tag” when you were a child? I remember it being stressful because you were chased by someone who was “it.” If they touched you, you were then “it.” But there was always home base. If you felt like you were about to be tagged, you could race back to home base and it was a safe zone. No one could tag you there.
This past week has been rougher than others. There’s the underlying tension of COVID-19. With cases on the rise, we’re now required by the state of Texas to wear masks everywhere with a few exceptions. I really dislike wearing a mask, but I do it. And this Pandemic is now tagging people I know. Two of my friends are concerned their children have COVID, so I am praying fervently for them.
Meanwhile, someone else I’m close to is experiencing marital issues, and it appears headed for divorce, so that is weighing me down.
And then I experienced a rejection myself this week as a result of a misinterpretation of an interview question. This was so shocking I spent Wednesday afternoon in tears. Through that experience, I realized how much I felt called to this new challenge, yet wondered if I had misinterpreted God’s direction. Thankfully, I’ve received a reprieve and will have a second interview this Monday.
With all of this trying to “tag” me, I had to run back to Home Base, the safe, loving arms of my Heavenly Father.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (NLT).
I am so thankful we have a home base to return to when things get rocky in our lives. In my devotion this morning, its focus was prayer and it said, “There is not an issue we are facing in our culture right now that prayer cannot address.”
God provides for all our needs. His Holy Spirit comforts us in the midst of hardship. He protects us when we are feeling fear. He counsels us when we are perplexed. This week, in regard to my rejection, I received this verse two different times and it’s for you as well: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
Believing is half the battle.
So what’s trying to tag you? Are you racing around in fear?
There’s no safer place than our heavenly Home Base, the presence of God.
“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Psalm 27:5).