Musings on COVID-19 #1

Just what does God want us to do at this time, anyway?

Probably many things, but I believe that one is not to be so focused on “how do we get back to the way things were” that we miss what He is saying and doing. We should not be sitting around just waiting for the day we can go back to whatever we were doing last February, in the same way that we were doing it. This applies to all areas of life—our jobs, our houses of worship, our families, our interests. I “hear” people saying,

• “I can’t wait to get back to the office,”
• “I can’t wait to get back to the church building,”
• “I can’t wait to get back to my favorite brewery,”
• “I can’t wait to go to (name your favorite event),”
•  Etc.

The underlying thought behind each of these is “I can’t wait for things to get back to the way they were!” Could it be that God doesn’t want things to go back to the “way they were”?

I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with desiring to see friends, extended family, and co-workers in person. I’m retired, so I don’t have co-workers, but I am looking forward to physically being with my family and friends, and getting back to giving back to my community in person. What I’m speaking of goes beyond that.

I believe that we need to be taking advantage of this time away from the busyness and same-ol’-same-ol’; the busyness of our church activities, work activities, family activities, etc. He wants us to rest in Him and seek His direction for how He wants our life to look going forward. I believe that He is using this time to get our attention and we need to give it to Him. I sense that He wants things to be different. (James 1:5-6*; Dan 2:21-23*) This applies to leadership in regards to how they lead and coordinate their organizations as well.

We need to examine the old path and determine whether it is the one that He actually wants us to follow. (Jer 6:16*) We should not “throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater” just to change something, but we need to be willing to face reality and change as He directs. We will probably be stretched, but if we, in our free will, don’t go along, then what????

*Scriptures

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5–6 (ESV)

“He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
for You have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of You,
for You have made known to us the king’s matter. Daniel 2:21–23 (ESV)

“Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)

Until the next time…May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Bill