In case you missed it, there is a huge story that has captured the news cycles and the collective conversation of the apparent world. That's right. The early digital release of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." Everyone is talking about it!
Obviously, I am referring to COVID-19 better known as Coronavirus. Since the first reports came out of Wuhan China, it has affected everything from international travel to global markets, and even our ability to find toilet paper in our time of need. Another result of this pandemic is, of course, the panic, confusion, and fear that is understandably associated with such a widespread illness. It has also resulted in billions of newly certified experts in epidemiology, many of whom I am blessed to be friends with on social media. They have joined the political science majors and the sociologists who have appeared in recent years on my timeline. It is astounding the educated and informed theories and opinions that I have to consider every day.
In recent days we have heard recommendations from experts and government officials on how best to curb the spread of the virus in our communities and populations. There is no doubt that there has been a measure of panic created by the information we've been given. But there is also no doubt that there is a threat to public health that demands an appropriate response. For the believer who has put their trust in God, all of this is framed through a unique and critical lens. That is how we view all matters now. This is called a worldview. Everyone has a worldview, but for us, it is distinctly Christian.
That means that our worldview is foundationally formed and shaped by scripture alone. That happens supernaturally by the renewing of our minds (Rom.12:2) in the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17, 1 Tim. 4:6-16, Rom. 15:4, 2 Tim. 2:15). That foundation and authority will orient our minds and worldview to see things through a Gospel lens. We now see all things God's way. So things like a pandemic are not a reason to panic but a call to trust God and seek His face for His greater purpose. We know that He is sovereignly working and intends to do be glorified in all things, even suffering. We know that He has called us to see every circumstance as a joyous opportunity for His sovereign and supernatural work that is for His glory and our good (Rom. 8:28, Jam. 1:2-4). We know that He intends for us to seek to show His glory and goodness to those who do not know Him in the midst of such suffering. The Christian Worldview is the only one that provides answers for such things as sin, suffering, death, and brokenness. We know that God intends for us to be ambassadors and call all men to be reconciled to Him through Christ, and there is no better time than in a moment like this (2 Cor. 5).
WE KNOW ALL OF THIS. WHAT DIFFERENCE IS IT MAKING?
I, like everyone else, have had to wait and watch to see how things would play out in recent days. Would my kids go to school? Would their sports be canceled? Would Dollar General still have toilet paper when we got there? This week the decisions got harder for many of us who serve in Church Leadership. As the confirmed cases grew larger in number and got closer to home, we watched as our nation and communities began making more intentional preparations and recommendations for the population.
Political opinions and memes have been a regular feature on my timelines recently. Highlighting everything from the lighter side of the pandemic to conspiracy theories and outright racial ignorance and fearmongering. I've cringed at my own callous behavior towards all of this in the early days, making jokes when the news first broke.
Can we be honest? I've watched as we who know the realities of eternity have turned the deaths of millions into a political ploy against candidates. We who know that God is sovereign and works all things according to His purpose and will have fed into the fear and the chaos as if we have no understanding of lasting hope. We who know that God is relentlessly committed to the exaltation of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel for the reconciliation of sinners to Himself have been too busy scrambling with the masses to store up our own treasures in case tomorrow we die.
But the reason I am compelled to clear my mind today (as I always qualify this blog: It's the reason it exists, so I don't explode) is because of a new pandemic among the brethren who know. I am among the many who serve among church leaders who had to make a difficult decision in recent days on how to respond for the good of the whole flock in light of these events, and the recommendations we were given. We prayed and grieved over the choice. We came up with several options and changed them multiple times along the way as we prayed and talked. We knew that God was in control. We knew what we were called to do. We knew that if there was ever a time to minister to our people, it was now.
But we also know what are the responsibilities of ministering well. It became clear to us that those who would be most vulnerable and susceptible within public gatherings would be the very ones who would not stay away despite our admonitions to do so. It was clear because in some cases, they told us "We'll be there if we have church!" At any other time, this would be an encouraging word to any pastor. But not when we are told that we have confirmed cases in our community and that people can be carriers and not be symptomatic. Even if you do everything right to avoid contact, it is most commonly and likely spread in groups. Every leader had a choice to make. We can only trust that they did it prayerfully and for the glory of Christ and the good of the Church. Many made the decision to minister to their flocks differently this Sunday or to cancel their services.
I have watched as brothers and sisters took to social media to slander and attack those who have had to make such decisions. They stand in the center of the Timeline Temple in their religious garments and say: "God, I thank Thee that I am not like these sinners who have disregarded You and Your Holy Temple. I still love You and Your House, and no made-up pandemic will keep me from serving you." I can almost wipe the mud from my phone screen from all of it being slung around. How sad it is to see such disdain and self-righteous indignation from those who claim to be of the household of faith. Shepherds and Sheep alike have been quick to pat themselves on the back for making a different decision in their setting. Once again, like a civil-war, brethren attack brethren. The only difference here is there is nothing to be won in this fight. There is no victor. Only losers. Only casualties.
I have long been exposed to such nonsense, and unfortunately, I fully expected it. I will admit however, I have been surprised at those who have, and have not been a part of this particular fire-fight. What concerns me the most is who else sees such foolishness. First, we must be reminded that our God sees. He sees the heart and motive of every pastor(s) who had to make the choice to respond. It is Christ's church. He is the head and He rules and governs. Those who serve as undershepherds are given to God's authority here, and hereafter. He sees. Secondly, the world is watching. Those who do not know are watching. Not only have they seen our response throughout the crisis, but now they watch our interactions as we try and lead and minister within the family. What are we showing them?
Again, I reference the Apostle Paul in Romans 12. Speaking to our behavior with one another, it is in direct relation to the renewal of our mind and the presenting of ourselves to God. Beginning in verse 9 he says:
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
If that is what we are called to, and what we know, then what are we showing? We have an opportunity in these days. We have many opportunities these days. One of which is the chance to demonstrate what true community looks like. For all the confusion, fear and uncertainty, this should be the easiest for us. Brethren, it should be the natural reflection of those who know Him, to demonstrate His love and what it means to know who He is. We don't have all the answers to the questions that surround us today, but we know how to love and how to show hospitality. We know how to forgive and how to minister to those who are down and disregarded. We know how to show grace and how to extend mercy. We know these things because they have been shown to us in Christ. We have been welcomed, loved, forgiven, and accepted in Him.
Let's not blow this.
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