Not My Soapbox, But God’s Checklist with Meredith Andrews

Handling the chaos of our world today in a way that honors God

Even though Meredith Andrews, singer, song writer and worship leader, doesn’t get it right every day, she believes there is much grace from the Lord in navigating these crazy times in our world.

As a follower of Christ, a wife and a mother, Meredith sees the need to take it one day at a time and have compassion, knowing things are different, hard and often feel heavy.

It is important to remind yourself what is true. “God is on His throne,” Meredith explained. “I know He is not side-tracked, not thrown off or panicked one bit.”

 

“When I remember what I know is true,  it helps me to have the right perspective.”

 

Meredith said she has to get to the place where she can tell God she trusts him even though she has strong opinions and feelings about things.

“Sometimes God asks me to share my opinions, and sometimes He asks me to keep them to myself,” Meredith observed. “But above all else, He’s called me to love people, even the people that don’t think the same way I do or see things the way I do.”

There has been a lot of fear and Meredith does not believe that fear is ever from the Lord.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

When things are swirling around and seem to be on the brink of disaster, Meredith reflected on what it looks like to endure and be faithful to the end.

“It may not look like me being really loud on social media, although I have shared strong feelings. It might actually mean me getting into my prayer closet and telling God I don’t understand. But I choose to trust Him, and I can’t fix this. I must choose to surrender my feelings to Him.”

God has convicted Meredith to examine what she is making the “main thing” in a certain moment. Things in the world need to be addressed, but that’s not necessarily her role. First, she must intercede, be willing to surrender her opinions, which is hard for her to do, and then get involved in the community and continue to stand for truth.

Your view is limited, but God sees all things. Meredith acknowledged God hasn’t asked her to wrestle, or strong arm, a particular problem. He has told her not to be anxious about anything.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

You can take your anxiety to God and thank him that He is sovereign. You can trust Him. You can choose to do what Meredith is doing, taking her eyes off the news, off social media, off of everyone else’s opinion and focusing on things that are unseen.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (ESV).

You have to remind yourself you’re just passing through and hold on loosely to the things of this world, so you don’t get tangled up in the chaos. Meredith has no solutions except to get into the Word of God. The more you do, the more you find His peace. The distractions are less.

Meredith explained, “Our assignment is to:

• Make disciples.
• Love people well.
• Point people to Jesus.
• Bring God glory.”

“That’s my checklist. Are those boxes getting checked?  Or am I on my own soap box?”

“I have to trust that God is the just judge and He is merciful. I can pray that God would let justice roll like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream in our nation and around the world.”

Meredith’s challenge to you and to each person is to pray to “see things not as right or left, anti-this or pro-that,” but to seek to live like Jesus in this time.

She said, “He was willing to:

• Be interrupted.
• Not be easily offended.
• Not look for a fight.
• Just love people well.
• Be about the Father’s business.”

“He also turned over the tables in the temple, so He wasn’t passive. When there was religion and sin that infringed upon the heart of God, He said, That’s not okay.’”

Meredith encouraged believers to notice those who have been rejected and let them know God sees them and loves them right where they are. When you notice something is broken, raise a red flag and stand for what is true. Don’t stand on principle, but on the Word of God.

 

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is tell someone the truth in love, tell someone what God’s Word says.

 

It’s what He has for them, and it’s better than what they are walking in.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).

Meredith used the analogy of a baby, “We celebrate when a baby takes the first step. We celebrate as they become more and more independent. It’s the opposite with God. We become more and more dependent on him as we take each step.”

Ask yourself, “Am I relying on him and his Word or on my own strength?”

“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b ESV).

Want more? Check out our on demand resources

Go!