LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS
Have you heard it said that you only see what you're prepared to see? In other words, we often ignore what we can't contextualize and tend only to look for things that we currently understand. But how does that work when it comes to something like this foreign invader, COVID-19, that seems to have its grip on our globe? For many of us, we've never faced anything particularly like this in our lifetime. I'd venture to say, for most of us, our livelihood has never been threatened in this unique way ever before; our day to day normality has rarely ever been so interrupted. With such a great global loss of life, simple tasks like going to the grocery store are overshadowed by a sense of impending doom, and collectively we are grieving the loss of the camaraderie that comes with routine gatherings and public togetherness. While many have hope that this way of life is only temporary, it’s hard to prepare for any relative movement forward because we are inundated with reports that become obsolete in only days. Needless to say, this virus has taken its toll on us all. Yet, I’m concerned that during challenging times like these there is a propensity to embrace fear instead of compassion; there’s a tendency to villainize and victimize instead of strategize and empathize
, and I believe this is our opportunity to be the light in the midst of darkness.
THE ONLY WAY OUT IS DEEPER IN
Believers, it’s imperative that we take hold of a truth that will guide us through the swirling disarray that is life right now— WE ARE NOT VICTIMS
. In fact, if there was ever an opportunity for us as a united body to arise and shine, if there was ever a time for our God-given power and authority to be on full display, it’s during dismal days like these.
Those who know the Lord ought to know there is a mastermind at play that would love for people to partner with his scheme to kill, steal, and destroy. Remember, the devil has power, but he has no authority. And, indeed, you'd have to have your head in the sand not to see that this pandemic has turned political. But let me be clear, this is not the time to get distracted by or contribute to this unholy mess; rather, this is the time for the nations to be introduced to the Hope of the world—Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:21 says, "In His name, the nations will put their hope." We ARE the Believers who disciple nations
in times of uncertainty.
If we relegate ourselves to curse the darkness instead of becoming the light...If we retreat rather than go deeper in, together, then I believe we will miss out on one of the most significant sovereign movements of God that we will likely see in our lifetime.
3 PRIORITIES FOR THIS PANDEMIC
- People are paramount.
Above all, a people-focused approach in this pandemic should be our first priority. It wasn’t long ago when the Lord told me to “ prepare for reentry
”, and I believe that the Lord is softening hearts of people that were once hardened. I believe God is opening the eyes of the wayward, the lonely and the lost. Now more than ever, Believers need to demonstrate where our help comes from. We can do this by showing honor to our city officials, abiding by the government mandates, earnestly praying for our governmental decision-makers, and loving our neighbors by looking for ways to safely help and encourage them during this crisis.
- Perseverance is key.
The whole world is going through a trial right now, yet, I'd like to propose that God is connecting vision to our pain, and amid the chaos, we often forget that perseverance has a purpose
during times of testing. Jesus makes a point of explaining this to the disciples in Matthew 17 when they couldn’t perform a miracle they had performed countless times before. Jesus said it was the “littleness of their faith” that contributed to their ineffectiveness, and if they only had ”faith the size of a mustard seed” they could move mountains. The word “littleness” in this passage actually means “briefly.” *
Jesus was not referencing the quantity of their faith, rather how long they held onto their faith, regardless of its size. In other words, they couldn’t perform the miracle because they quit too soon! I’d like to propose that your victory lies in how long you’re willing to persist, persevere, and purpose to believe that if it’s not good, it’s not the end!
- We are solutionaries. I believe right now, Believers are being called upon as wise counselors to find solutions today for the coronavirus, for the economy, for our communities, cities, and nations. Many challenges are rising up in our country, and we can either be polarized politically, or we can be loyal to our King and His Kingdom. If we step in with a spirit of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) we can bring wisdom, knowledge, experience, and skill to bear on these pressing challenges. I believe being a solutionary is the prominent role that we are called to play right now. God wants to release Heaven’s solutions for earth’s challenges, and He desires to share them with you! Are you listening?
As this pandemic unfolds, I want to encourage you all that we were made for such a time as this. Empowered by the Spirit of the Living God, our future is not uncertain, days to come we do not dread. We count this all as joy as we know our God is moving in the midst. We will not be shaken and we will persevere with prayer.
*
Littleness is the Greek word “oligos.” It means few, little, small: —brief(1), briefly(1), few(11), few things(4), great*(1), little(7), little way(1), little while(4), long*(1), number*(2), short(3), short time(1), small(3), while(1).
