The church is responding positively to what I see as an ongoing rehearsal. The corona virus is clearly a serious issue in the realms of health, politics, and the economy. The tragic loss of life is horrific. But I believe the church needs to see it as a rehearsal for what is to come and to actively use it to prepare for the future.
We know how the story ends. We know that the darkness will grow. But the Light of the World needs to shine through us to those who need to know Him as Savior and Lord. To that end, I believe preparation for the future is what is going on now as the world faces a crisis that may change our way of life.
Our goal needs to be using the opportunity to learn and respond instead of reacting. I see signs of appropriate response to meet the needs of people everywhere. Many churches instigated online services instead of mass gatherings in order to practice social distancing. My own home church, Gateway Houston, initiated a care team connect plan that saw members contacted via phone to check on status and potential needs.
In no way am I saying that this current crisis is insignificant. It is very significant and the potential loss in life and stability threatens the world in ways few events outside of world war ever have. But our hope as the church of Jesus Christ lies in learning how to respond and how to remember our commission to share His faithfulness to those who don’t know Him and His love for all of us. The battle is not simply against a physical virus; it is against the virus of fear and dread that threaten souls as COVID-19 does the body. And we know that we fight against spiritual powers beyond all. We know the battle belongs to the Lord. We need to stand together in the spiritual realm even as we are physically isolated. We are also encouraged to use the weapons of spiritual warfare in this fight in a season of isolation and every day:
Ephesians 6:14-16 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
You must be logged in to post a comment.