Life in these challenging days of Covid can seem like watching one of those wacky competition shows on cable TV. A helmeted and padded competitor runs an obstacle course dodging spinning turnstiles, swinging dummies, and other implements of destruction that threaten to knock her off a slippery course.
Our obstacles today have the names of Delta and Omicron and who knows what next Greek letter will come at us. We try to avoid being knocked off course by taking vaccines and boosters, masking, and distancing. Even so, these sly bludgeons hit too many of us while the rest of us wonder when we’ll be next.
I read about all these goings on and wonder what is happening? Are we doing the right things? Do the aggravations of wearing masks and quarantining really help? And I wonder how God is at work in these challenging days.
Covid seems to have turned our world upside down. But we must admit the reality of what is happening and even accept the likelihood of the pandemic becoming endemic. So, while I may wish for life to go back to the way things were, I think the more important question is, “What does God want of us now?” What does He want us to learn – or maybe re-learn – in this Covid environment?
As to things getting back to normal, we read in Isaiah 43:18-19 God telling the exiled Israelites to “remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new!” He wants a new kind of relationship with us. For me, this boils down to embracing the truth that:
- God loves us. No matter what. He is with us in and through all the messiness of life. He relentlessly gives us His love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. He is offering us the opportunity to renew our relationship with Him. All we have to do is accept it.
- In that acceptance and belief – in our faith in God – we have Hope. Our hope lies in all the good that Jesus does for us. Our hope rests on the foundation of the truth that Jesus has come into our world. He redeems us. He gives us His Spirit. He loves us. No matter what.
So, let’s take these challenging days of Covid as an opportunity to pause, to “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:11), to draw closer to God. Do not fear or distrust, but rest easy in Jesus’ exhortation, “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mk 6:50) Be grateful for all the blessings God gives to us, even in difficult circumstances. Turn our hearts to Him and repent of our sins. Let’s acknowledge that He gives us everything. He will provide. In humble gratitude, let’s give back to Him to help those most in need, those most vulnerable amongst us.
When we respond this way, we put God first in our lives. We admit that the only Greek letters that really matter are Alpha and Omega, and this puts Covid and other world events and reactions into proper perspective.
#Godfirst #newlife #life #Covid
*Additional Post for January 2022