It is obvious by now that we are living in unusual times. The COVID-19 Coronavirus was labeled a pandemic on March 11th, 2020 by the World Health Organization. Since that time the world has watched the number of infected people, and sadly, the death toll continues to rise. To combat the spread of the disease, the CDC and the United States government has suggested, and in some case, mandated American citizens to stay at home. Schools, playgrounds, and parks are closed in many areas. Non-essential businesses closed temporarily and other businesses closed permanently due to the financial strain. People have been furloughed from their jobs and others were told to work from home. According to the Washington Post, more than 22 million people have lost their jobs completely. I have a friend who lost his job and has had to make serious decisions about their livelihood in this current time of economic instability.
Despite all of this, there are good things to take away from what seems like only bad news. Families are spending more time together. I have heard of stories of families and friends playing board games over a video chat. Church services are being broadcasted which has the potential to reach more people now than ever. Making it even easier for the world to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. I have seen entire families taking walks together in the evenings. That is something I used to rarely see in my neighborhood.
Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said during one of his daily media briefings that we are socially distant but spiritually connected. I am not sure if he knew what he said would have such deep meaning. After hearing Cuomo’s quote I instantly thought of Jesus being in the wilderness fasting and being tempted. He was quite socially distant but extremely spiritually connected to His Father. Christ would often separate Himself from His disciples to be alone and pray all night long. When in his flight from Esau, Jacob was alone deliberately staying away from anyone, and in his loneliness, he was connected with God in an amazing dream. Jonah was socially distant while in the belly of that great fish. I’m sure he felt the Spirit connecting with him while in the dark. When Elijah stood alone against the ruling class and called for God to bring fire down to consume the offering, he was socially and emotionally distant. His connection with God was apparent with his simple prayer.
We can take a lesson from this time and from those who went through similar trials in the Word. No matter what happens in life, we would do well to cling to the promise of God. In our separation, we can come closer to Jesus. We can spend more time in His word. We can strengthen our faith and prepare ourselves for the greater trials ahead. In this time of instability and fear, I can’t help but think about what Christ said while speaking to His people nearly 2000 years ago, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27. I hope we can all take this time to build our house on the Rock. The Rock is our Savior and He is our only hope and safeguard when all else is falling away.
