"... even the hairs of your head are all numbered."
Matthew 10:30
In the matter of a few hours, our whole world changed.
Thursday, March 12th, 2020, started like many of my “last day before March Break” days had started in years past. I taught my classes, wished my students an enjoyable break and prepped all my handouts and resources for the first day back. I could walk away and leave school behind me because everything was planned and ready to go when we returned.
Over the course of that day, I had several conversations with colleagues who had March Break trips planned but, in the wake of concerns over the Coronavirus, had cancelled those trips. My wife Judy and I had planned to visit family in Quebec but we were, quite frankly, exhausted and decided we just wanted to stay put. Also, being education workers, there was a slightly greater risk of exposure, and we sure didn’t want to end up inadvertently passing the virus along to our elderly parents.
After dinner Thursday evening, I was informed by a friend that the Minister of Education had closed all schools for the two weeks following March Break, blindsiding us completely. The long tendrils of COVID-19 had now reached out and touched our world.
In the days that followed, zoos, museums, malls and theatres — any place of public gatherings — were closed down. Businesses moved to a “work from home” model. As one of three co-pastors of our church Fellowship Oshawa (fellowshiposhawa.com), I joined in discussions over how we were going to continue to serve our church family: what would we do re: preaching and providing a sense of community, despite physical distancing. The phrase “a new normal” became familiar.
Not knowing what this is going to look like moving forward has made it a challenge to rest, to enjoy the “break”. And I have found myself pondering what it looks like to pastor our congregation through this. Much of our community has been built around shared experiences: shared meals, shared games and activities, shared laughter. How do I help my church family maintain that needed sense of community during a period of time where physical proximity is discouraged, even potentially dangerous?
Thankfully, we have so many tools available to us to be connected, not just by voice but face-to-face: FaceTime, Ring Central, WhatsApp and Zoom are just a few of the tools we’ve used over the last while. I’ve touched base with friends and family this way and found great encouragement from doing so. I’ve even been able to help a friend get started to learn to play guitar via a WhatsApp video call!
While it’s all been challenging, I have also had more time for introspection; our crazy, hamster-wheel lifestyles in North America don’t often leave room for that. And I’ve noted a lack of fear and anxiety. (Remarkably, I felt no pressing need to stockpile toilet paper ...) And the reason for that is God and His character.
The Bible is one of the key ways God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind; another is through His Son Jesus. But Jesus stepped into time for only a short period; God left us His Word in written form so that we could continually learn more about Him, and be reminded of the things we had forgotten.
1. God is Sovereign. This means that He is in control; nothing catches Him by surprise. Colossians 1:16-17 reads “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” The person referred to in this passage is Jesus. Given this kind of sovereignty, the coronavirus is not something that will cause Him to say “Whoops! I didn’t see that coming!” Just like everything else in our lives — the pleasant and the unpleasant — Jesus knew it before it happened and it isn’t capable of thwarting His plans. So I needn’t fear that things are out of His control; He’s got this.
But if it’s all under His control, can He be trusted? Is He kind or malicious, faithful or fickle? The answers to those questions are also found throughout the Bible.
2. God is Good. Psalm 106 is just one of many that include the refrain found in verse 1: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 34:8 even invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good!” Don’t just take my word for it, or even the record of His goodness in the Bible; try it for yourself! What is very important to understand, however, is that God is good and righteous. He’s not Santa, doling out gifts and favours with a hearty chuckle; He is King, true to His plans to do what is just and righteous and good for His Kingdom. An important question for you might be: are you a subject of His Kingdom, safe within the protection of His walls? Or are you outside the gates, unprotected and unable to enjoy the benefits of His resources?
3. God is Faithful. Lamentations 3:22-23 reads “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Sadly, our generation and culture knows so little about love that lasts; how many marriages do you know of that are still solid after 20, 15, even 10 years? When I introduce a new course I’m teaching, I share a bit about myself and my students often clap when they hear that I have been married to my best friend for over 30 years; their hearts yearn for a love that lasts a lifetime but they don’t often see examples of it being possible. God’s love doesn’t just last years, or a lifetime; it never ends. He is faithful forever. To whom? To Himself, of course! And because of that, because He is Truth, He cannot be false to His promises.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus, you needn’t fear the coronavirus; One much greater than the coronavirus is your God and King! Regardless of what happens here on earth — whether you contract the virus or not, whether it takes your life or not — that same Sovereign, Good, Faithful King Jesus took your place on the cross, suffered the punishment for sin that you deserved, and transferred His righteousness and perfection to your account so that He could pour out His steadfast love on you unceasingly, even into eternity! Paul states, and every follower of Jesus can echo it, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil.1:21) While He leaves us here, let’s proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of hope, to our neighbours, to our family members, to our friends. Tell them of the Saviour who died to set them free from sin to love Him and be loved by Him! Show them, by your example, that His “perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) Give them a reason to take that first step, to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Love like Jesus loved, sacrificially. If there is a need, act. Be wise, for sure, and take precautions, but don’t fear; nothing, not even death, can touch you outside of His will.
And if you’re not a follower of Jesus, now is the time. Because of your sin, you stand condemned before Him. Oh, He is patient, loving and gracious; the fact that you’re reading this is evidence of His grace to warn you of your eternal peril. If the coronavirus, or a car accident, or simply natural causes, should take your life today, you will stand before this King and you will be judged based on what you did with Jesus; did you ignore the rightful King and choose your own kingdom, usurping His throne? Or did you bow before Him, give Him your heart and life and ask His forgiveness for your rebellion against Him? There’s still time, right now, where you sit reading this post, to take advantage of His gracious offer to save you; take it today! After over 50 years of being His, with many, many screw-ups along the way, I can attest to His goodness even when I wasn’t good, His faithfulness even when I wasn’t faithful, His love even when I didn’t demonstrate my love for Him. He is such a loving King! Kneel before Him today and give your all to Him; you will never regret it!
While it’s all been challenging, I have also had more time for introspection; our crazy, hamster-wheel lifestyles in North America don’t often leave room for that. And I’ve noted a lack of fear and anxiety. (Remarkably, I felt no pressing need to stockpile toilet paper ...) And the reason for that is God and His character.
The Bible is one of the key ways God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind; another is through His Son Jesus. But Jesus stepped into time for only a short period; God left us His Word in written form so that we could continually learn more about Him, and be reminded of the things we had forgotten.
1. God is Sovereign. This means that He is in control; nothing catches Him by surprise. Colossians 1:16-17 reads “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” The person referred to in this passage is Jesus. Given this kind of sovereignty, the coronavirus is not something that will cause Him to say “Whoops! I didn’t see that coming!” Just like everything else in our lives — the pleasant and the unpleasant — Jesus knew it before it happened and it isn’t capable of thwarting His plans. So I needn’t fear that things are out of His control; He’s got this.
But if it’s all under His control, can He be trusted? Is He kind or malicious, faithful or fickle? The answers to those questions are also found throughout the Bible.
2. God is Good. Psalm 106 is just one of many that include the refrain found in verse 1: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 34:8 even invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good!” Don’t just take my word for it, or even the record of His goodness in the Bible; try it for yourself! What is very important to understand, however, is that God is good and righteous. He’s not Santa, doling out gifts and favours with a hearty chuckle; He is King, true to His plans to do what is just and righteous and good for His Kingdom. An important question for you might be: are you a subject of His Kingdom, safe within the protection of His walls? Or are you outside the gates, unprotected and unable to enjoy the benefits of His resources?
3. God is Faithful. Lamentations 3:22-23 reads “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Sadly, our generation and culture knows so little about love that lasts; how many marriages do you know of that are still solid after 20, 15, even 10 years? When I introduce a new course I’m teaching, I share a bit about myself and my students often clap when they hear that I have been married to my best friend for over 30 years; their hearts yearn for a love that lasts a lifetime but they don’t often see examples of it being possible. God’s love doesn’t just last years, or a lifetime; it never ends. He is faithful forever. To whom? To Himself, of course! And because of that, because He is Truth, He cannot be false to His promises.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus, you needn’t fear the coronavirus; One much greater than the coronavirus is your God and King! Regardless of what happens here on earth — whether you contract the virus or not, whether it takes your life or not — that same Sovereign, Good, Faithful King Jesus took your place on the cross, suffered the punishment for sin that you deserved, and transferred His righteousness and perfection to your account so that He could pour out His steadfast love on you unceasingly, even into eternity! Paul states, and every follower of Jesus can echo it, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil.1:21) While He leaves us here, let’s proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of hope, to our neighbours, to our family members, to our friends. Tell them of the Saviour who died to set them free from sin to love Him and be loved by Him! Show them, by your example, that His “perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) Give them a reason to take that first step, to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Love like Jesus loved, sacrificially. If there is a need, act. Be wise, for sure, and take precautions, but don’t fear; nothing, not even death, can touch you outside of His will.
And if you’re not a follower of Jesus, now is the time. Because of your sin, you stand condemned before Him. Oh, He is patient, loving and gracious; the fact that you’re reading this is evidence of His grace to warn you of your eternal peril. If the coronavirus, or a car accident, or simply natural causes, should take your life today, you will stand before this King and you will be judged based on what you did with Jesus; did you ignore the rightful King and choose your own kingdom, usurping His throne? Or did you bow before Him, give Him your heart and life and ask His forgiveness for your rebellion against Him? There’s still time, right now, where you sit reading this post, to take advantage of His gracious offer to save you; take it today! After over 50 years of being His, with many, many screw-ups along the way, I can attest to His goodness even when I wasn’t good, His faithfulness even when I wasn’t faithful, His love even when I didn’t demonstrate my love for Him. He is such a loving King! Kneel before Him today and give your all to Him; you will never regret it!
No comments:
Post a Comment