The Spiritual Covid Preperation
My parents and Holly’s parents have completely different vacation planning strategies. I remember the last family vacation I took before getting married to Holly. We went to Hawaii and aside from the flights and condo we were staying at – didn’t plan too much else until we arrived in Kawaii. I remember talking to my future in-laws about the trip and they were astounded we had nothing pre-scheduled. I didn’t think much of this until I went on a trip with them to New York City about two years later. We had a binder of each day planned out almost so specifically that we had to pencil in rest room breaks…well maybe not that much but for someone that is a little more “fly by the seat of my pants” it certainly seemed that way. In the end, both trips were very different but also very enjoyable.
My point is this: God prepares us for our future in ways that we don’t always expect. He moves in a very unique way that often doesn’t make sense. However, the one truth that we can depend on is that He WILL prepare us for what is ahead. I think of Paul before he went to Jerusalem after coming to Christ on that road to Damascus. We read in Galatians 1:17-18: “I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas (Peter), and I stayed with him 15 days.” Many scholars believe Paul took this time in Arabia to prepare – to know Christ more and prepare for the huge calling that was on his life – a calling that led to entire countries eventually becoming flooded with the Gospel.
Paul is not unique in this. We see in the Old Testament that Joseph saw a vision in which he would be a leader to his family at age 17 – only to undergo jail and slavery for thirteen years. Finally at the age of 30 he indeed saw his brothers bow down to him. Moses waited in Midian as a shepherd of sheep for 40 years before he was able to shepherd a nation out of slavery. Joshua spent a lifetime following Moses to prepare him to continue this role at Moses’ death. David spent years in the wilderness being chased by Saul – time that would teach him necessary skills to lead and protect his future kingdom. Even Jesus Himself did not begin His ministry until the age of 30 – becoming “strong, filled with wisdom” during His early life (Luke 2:40).
My point is this – Covid 19 has shut down our way of life. It has caused many of you to lose your jobs and many more to lose your peace. Some of you are no longer at school and aside from overwhelming amounts of homework have nothing to do but binge watch Netflix or Hulu. This virus has slowed down and silenced much of the noise and busyness that usually fills our life. And with this slow down we have a decision to make – will we use it to grow or to wilt – to shine or to fade. We should not let this time of silence scare us but instead use it to prepare us.
Many Christians do not share the Gospel because they do not feel adequate or equipped enough. I could write an entire blog series on why this is a silly excuse (but we will save that for another time) but for now – let us think about this time making that excuse invalid. Time is what we have – time to grow in the Word and actually dive in and read it. Time to pray and come to know God in a deeper level. Time to attend worship services via YouTube or Facebook. We now have the time – if we aren’t allowing God to prepare us in this time we only have ourselves to blame.
I truly believe that the Gospel will flourish due to the Corona virus. I believe it will be a rock that many around the world will be forced to lean on during this difficult time. I also truly believe God will rise up many leaders out of this fire that is burning across our nation. The question now becomes: will you be part of the movement? Will you take the time to grow and prepare? Will you be like Paul and grow in this time “of Arabia” – acting as he did to get away from the noise and prepare for the mission field in front of him? Love the silence and let Him speak to you in it. And enjoy this time of everything being slowed down – because soon enough the noise will be back. The question is will you be ready to overcome it with the peace and tranquility of the Simple Gospel offered by Christ alone?
