Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Over the recent months, all of social media and the news coverage are inundated with news on the coronavirus. It is a grave pandemic that even the best experts and the best medical facilities in the world have been unable to contain. These are very challenging times. But I believe this is a very important time for us, as believers in Christ to be the “church” God has called us to be. So, what do I mean by that? We know that no sickness on earth is more powerful than God Himself. We know that God is still enthroned above the chaos and confusion of this situation. We know that He is still in control. We know that His love for us far exceeds every challenge that we face. We know that He is with us. We know that He has given us His Word and many promises for this life and for eternity. We know that nothing can separate us from His love. We know that He makes all things, the good, bad and ugly work together for our good. We know He has given us the greatest weapon of all: prayer! We know that when we are on our knees, we made the enemy tremble! When we are on our knees, we cause Satan and his cohorts flee in confusion.
Right now, at no other time than this, we need to rise up as a church! So, what can we do as believers in Christ? Here is some practical wisdom to apply during this situation that I have gleaned from the Bible. This is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to add to it.
- Walk the talk at home: This is a testing time for us as mature believers in Christ. How do you practice your faith before those within your own family? Our actions speak louder than words. Our children watch how loving we are to our spouses. Our children imbibe every tension there is within the family. Do we practice what we preach? Do we show our children that we depend on God for our finances by not arguing in front of them about money? Do we show our children that God is our provider by not hoarding? Do we show we care for our children by investing quality time with them during the day instead of brushing them aside? Do we continue to practice normal routine within the family so our children are still well-rested within the family or are we irresponsible as parents? Do we show what Christ-like love is by loving and respecting our spouses before our children? Do we honor God in the words that we speak to each other when we are spending the next few days and weeks within close quarters? Do we share household responsibilities with each other as we also work from home? Do we place the interests of our family members above our own? Do we use this time to share with our children about our faith and about applying faith not fear in such situations? Or do we panic like the rest of the world for our basic needs? Do we humbly ask God to take over and show evidence of our faith by the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in us- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control? These are not manufactured by us, folks!! They are NOT there by human effort!! The Bible clearly states that these qualities are the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit who is allowed to take over the “driving seat” of our lives. If we are giving in to anger, bickering, nagging, then guess what? Perhaps this may be a time to deeply reflect if we are right before God. If we cannot show selfless love to those within our family, our faith is dead and our “religion” is useless. Practice Christ-like love. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you!
- Listen to the government of the country you are located in: If the government of the country you currently live in has asked of you to isolate yourself or strongly advised restricted movement, please practice that. We are not above the government. The Bible clearly states to submit to authority and to the government that God has placed above us.
In Romans 13:1-7 it is written,
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”
We are not above the government just because we are Christians!! We do not become wiser than the government because of our faith. Sure, coronavirus is no match for the power of God. But stating that and continuing to carry out social interactions because God is protecting us and His power is above that of the sickness is irresponsible, prideful and arrogant. I know I sound very harsh here, but that is the truth! The more we mature in Christ, the humbler we must become. We are not above the law!!
- Embrace faith, shun fear: The Bible says that,” God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) No sickness, however strong, not even death is more powerful than God Himself. Rest in this. The Bible mentions the phrase “Fear not!” 365 times! That is for every day in a year!! Fear is the opposite of faith. When we give in to fear, our faith starves. When we give in to faith, our fear starves. Embrace your faith.
- Volunteer in your neighborhood: Find out if people in your local community have begun volunteering support for the elderly and those with compromised immunity. If there isn’t any such effort, then start your own and get like minded people to support you. If there are volunteering organizations around you, then join with them and see how you can work together.
- Show love for your neighbors: if you have the elderly among you, or those that are sick, offer to run errands for them. Offer practical help. Go the extra mile. Do it in love. Do it without expecting anything in return. Do it with no strings attached. Do it with deep joy. Do it with Christ-like love and humility. Serve others around you.
- Do not judge your government, those in power, those others around you: it is easy during a crisis situation to point fingers at others, complain, grumble and judge their actions. What does God expect us to do during these times? The Bible calls on us as mature believers in Christ to not judge.
Matthew 7, 1-5 says this,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Do not judge others lest you also be judged. It is God who judges. It is not our right to judge others’ actions. Let’s not be found among those that judge. Let us be careful that our words and actions are non-judgmental.
- Spend time with God’s Word: I find this to be an incredible time to soak up in God’s Word. God has allowed the whole world to come to a near standstill!! This is a great opportunity to get right before God. To ask Him to bring clarity to what He would like us to do. It is a great moment to reflect on what God is trying to say to us. God has got our attention by stopping the treadmill we have been running on like hamsters. Our mechanical lives have come to a grinding halt. I believe He will take care of those that have lose their jobs. I believe He will take care of every economic crash among the nations. He is sovereign and all-powerful. He can turn around any hopeless situation for His Glory. Do you remember the passage in Ezekiel 36? An entire valley of dry bones came to life and rose up as a mighty army of God. God only had to breathe upon the dry bones!! No situation, no circumstance, however powerful is a match for God! Rest in His Word. Rest in the promises from His Word! He is all sufficient!!
- Spend time in prayer: When we go on our knees, Satan and his cohorts tremble. Because by doing so, we are summoning the God of the Universe for help! He dispatches His angels for us as answer to our prayers. Who we have with us in this chaos of a situation is far greater than what is happening against us! Band together in prayer, my dear fellow believers in Christ. Pray for the nations. Pray for leaders– this is an incredibly difficult time for them. The Dutch Health Minister collapsed from exhaustion just this week and resigned yesterday because of the enormous stress the past few days when he had to work 24*7. The task at hand is enormous for them. They cannot do this with human strength. They need our prayer support. Pray for wisdom. Pray for God to give them wisdom on what needs to be done instead of criticizing them for what has not been done. Pray for protection against burn out. Pray for unity and strength that they can find in each other as they work together in the government. Pray for physical strength. Pray for sleep at night. It is hard to sleep when you have major decisions to make and when the well-being of an entire nation rests on your shoulders!! Pray for good decisions. Pray for togetherness. Pray for the people in the nations. Pray that they will work in unity with their governments. Pray for a sense of community and support. Pray against rebellion and discord. Pray for those that lost their jobs. Pray for new jobs to open for them. Pray for revival and for God to open the hearts and minds of people to Him! Pray for doctors and those in the health service that God will clothe them with enormous strength during these challenging times. Pray for the scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine, that God will accelerate their efforts and give them wisdom to find a cure. Pray for those that are sick among us, those with weak immunity and the elderly, that God will protect them. Pray for your own family members– for protection during this time. Pray Psalm 91 over your loved ones. Pray!! Without ceasing. Continually. In one accord.
For more prayer points, check out this very cool link by a dear friend: http://www.seamsofgold.com/covid-19-prayer-points/?fbclid=IwAR0NSWEA7Ry6_xzj_DP5spYQZuTq1aGEI31MUf_6e22obHRCxnJas3vo7cw
- Practice gratitude: be thankful for the food on the table. Be thankful for the roof above your head. Be thankful for your family members. Be thankful in plenty and in little. Be thankful for the life within you. Be thankful for God’s protection upon you. Be thankful for His providence. Be thankful for the people in your life. Be thankful for the water you drink, the gas and electricity. Be thankful that you live in modern times where you can be connected with those around you through online social media and video chat. Use those facilities to still stay in touch. As much as you need to physically isolate yourselves, you do not need to socially isolate! Use the internet! Get creative! But be responsible not to gather together physically.
- Take in the sights and sounds around you: There are reports from China that people hear birds chirping for the first time in a long time. They even report that the sky is blue and clear owing to barely any pollution. The dramatic events of the recent months have reduced travel, especial air travel drastically. The earth is healing!! The sky is blue. The birds are out. Take in the sights and sounds- even if it is only from your window or balcony!! Share these experiences with your loved ones at home.
- Praise God in all situations: The Bible tells us to give God our praise. At all times and in all occasions. Praise is powerful. When Paul and Silas sang praises to God in the prison, the earth quaked, the prison doors were flung open and their shackles fell off their wrists and feet. God is powerful. He is worthy of our praises. At all times. In all seasons. Sing praises to God for He is good. His mercy endures forever.
I believe God has given us an opportunity as His church to be the salt and light during these very dark times. This is a test. Of our faith. Of our faith in action. Are we willing to be the hands and feet for Jesus? Are we willing to spread His love and peace to a hurting world?
This is NOT a time to go underground or to stay silent. This is not a time to stay comfortable within our comfort zones.
Rise up men and women of faith. Rise up Church.
Prayer
Abba Father, I see now more than ever that I have been indifferent to You, to my faith in You and to the way I treat this opportunity You have given us to show Your love to those hurting around me. Lord I want to return to You today. I want to deeply delve into Your Word. I want to know what You are trying to tell me in this situation. I want to adopt a lifestyle of prayer from this moment. God, I give my willingness and my obedience to be placed in Your mighty Hands today. Use me to minister to the hurting and those broken in my midst. Help me to shine Your unconditional love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.