Hey everyone! I just wanted to encourage you with three thoughts I’ve had since last Thursday as this coronavirus has skyrocketed to national attention. There’s obviously a lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of volatility right now. We don’t know how long this is going to last, we don’t know how much worse it’s going to get. The uneasiness and anxiety is in the air, airborne like the coronavirus itself. But like Jesus says, my father is always at work, and I too am working” (John 5:15). So in light of that, here are three encouragements for us in this moment of limbo.
1) Take Advantage of the Time
In the Old Testament, Jews had built in breaks. Actually, the entire ancient world did. With no artificial light, you go to bed when the sun goes down and you wake up when it doesn’t.
The Jewish people went a step further. They had a day of rest, a Sabbath day, a practice Jews and some Christians still follow. A day to BE. To rest, recover, and relate with others. They also had extended seasons and holidays, involving family vacations, bbqs and beer (Deut 14. Jewish society and a number of built in breaks, structured space and margin.
But then we get electricity, the car, the computer, the Iphone, amazing technologies with some negative side effects. Far from cutting down on our busyness, they intensify it. We’re always working, never not on the clock. Our sleep and health and relationships suffer, leading to unsatisfied and anxious lives.
And then something like this hits. And I’m not saying this is a good thing, it’s not, but notice what can come out of it. Soccer practice gets canceled. And school might get canceled. Work wants you to stay home. Airplanes are empty. The West Coast somewhat sputters to a stop. And all of a sudden, I have space. Time. Margin. More time with family members, and friends. An opportunity.
It’s unfortunate that it takes events like 9/11, like a pandemic to stop us in our tracks. And hopefully we can reevaluate our hectic lives. But right now, let’s enjoy this moment we’ve been given. To be present with those around us, to remember what’s really important. The people we love. The God we love. The important things in life.
2) Stay Informed, but not too Informed.
I’ve been off social media and politics podcasts for Lent, but I jumped back in to be somewhat familiar with what’s happening. And I think it’s good to be aware. But with all this extra time you’ve been given, especially those of you who are more or less self-quarantined in your house, the temptation is going to be to keep the news on all day. To spend all day in front of a screen, your phone, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook. It’s amazing how many coronavirus experts there are on Facebook. Who would have known?
But the news will do whatever it takes to get more of your attention during this time. Not only will this waste this incredible opportunity you’ve been given, a cleared schedule, but it’ll also make you anxious (or arrogant). Do something else. Read a book, write a little bit, think, pray. Call a friend.
3) Lean into the Lord
Our God is trustworthy. Nothing catches him off guard. He loves us. He’s at work in and through this. Psalm 46 famously says: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. . .Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46: 1-3, 8-11
It’s in the lows and the loses that we grow closer to Christ. Again, there’s so much opportunity in the midst of the chaos for something really cool to come out of this. Stay safe, wise, informed, and healthy, and remember, as a recent song puts it: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working. Even when I don’t feel it You’re working. You never stop, You never stop working!”
-Tyler
