T
here is absolutely nothing like a pandemic to give one perspective! Right? Two months ago, I was living my best life. My husband and I were busy traveling and working for the conference. We were not worried about our health. We were not worried about money. We had plans to do so many things. Then as the severity of the Coronavirus outbreak became apparent, the ability to live according to our grand plans disappeared. Our daily routines were disrupted, and the questions began to flow, initially as a trickle, then as a steady stream, and finally as rolling river.
Is this really any different than the flu?
Are we over-reacting?
I am healthy. What do I have to fear?
How long will this last?
How will we conduct church?
How long can we make it without my income?
What if we lose our house?
How long will this last?
What if we default on our loan or mortgage?
Where can I find toilet paper?
Do I need a mask?
Why can I not visit my loved one?
God, are you punishing us?
How long will this last?
Prov 19:21 says, “
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails
.” And James 4:13-15 says, “
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.
" I have often told myself that the best time to wrestle with some of the harshest truths in scripture is BEFORE you actually need to wrestle with them. Well, here we are!
Many people have lost jobs. Many will lose homes or cars. Vacations have been cancelled. High school graduates will not have proms or commencement ceremonies. Many businesses have closed their doors. Food banks are struggling to meet the growing needs of people without resources. Congregations are not gathering. Giving patterns have changed. There have been more than 550,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the United States. And more than 22,000 have died. The numbers continue to climb. It is unclear when this crisis will end. As a result, the country is filled with worry, anxiety, fear, bewilderment, anger, helplessness, and sometimes hopelessness.
Last week, members of the General Overseers Team (GOT) listened to a presentation from Will Mancini. One of the statements that he made that resonated with me is “
Scarcity brings clarity
.” Now that we are all having to deal with loss of every kind, we are forced to focus on those things that are most important and let go of those things that are not. Family is important. Friends are important. Faith is important. The greatest commandments tell us to love God and to love our neighbors. I don’t mean to trivialize the losses that many are experiencing because they are significant. It is my intention to encourage us all to prioritize people. As ambassadors for Christ, let us strive to treat everyone with the greatest kindness and consideration during these dark days. Greet your neighbors. Lend a helping hand. Share what you have. Offer a smile. Donate to a food bank. Call and check on someone. Write a letter. Be patient. Be polite. Mend broken relationships. Pray earnestly. Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” I need you and you need me. As a church and as a people, we are all better together. That is my current perspective.
Blessings to you all